JPL kicks off new year with classic

THE JAMAICA Premier League (JPL) continues today with the first round of matches in the new year and the final set of games in the first round, the highlight of which will be the traditional fixture between Harbour View and Waterhouse at the Anthony Spaulding Complex at 6 p.m.

The two local giants have been playing way below expectations this season. However, Waterhouse have fared much better. They sit eighth in the table on 16 points, just two points off the top six.

Harbour View, on the other hand, are 11th in the 14-team standings with nine points from 11 matches.

Both coaches, Marcel Gayle of Waterhouse and Ludlow Bernard of Harbour View, admit that form goes out the window when these two teams meet and that it will come down to who wants it more on the day.

“Waterhouse have always been a very competitive team in these types of games. So playing against Waterhouse, we know they will bring their A game and they should expect an A game from us as well.

“It’s two teams in recent times that have not been having the best of form. But it really comes down to on the day, who really wants the game a bit more,” Bernard commented.

Gayle expressed similar sentiments when looking forward to the fixture.

“They are a seasoned campaigners. They have a good coaching staff and a good cadre of players and on the day they can get it right.

“It is not going to be an easy encounter. It is always a battle between the teams. So we are looking for a keen encounter. Hopefully, we can be victorious. But it is a matter of who is hungrier for it on the day,” he surmised.

Although Harbour View have won just one of their 11 matches this season, they have drawn six times and have tasted defeat just thrice.

Despite scoring 14 goals, Bernard’s team has let in 18. However, he is convinced they have identified the reason for their underperformance and believes they can get it right.

“We have been making some progress, not as big as we wanted. However, there was some good stuff on display on Sunday against Montego Bay and we hope to build on that.

“It has been a bit frustrating. We have six drawn games and the manner in which we are conceding these goals is ridiculous.

“We are trying our best with the group and we have to sort out these issues. We have been on the front foot where scoring goals is concerned and we just have to strike a balance.

“But the ammunition is there to go on a run and we just have to start somewhere. So we know what we need to address and once we get that we should be pretty good,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gayle has put his team’s fluctuating form down to lapses in concentration.

“We have been playing good but we have been let down by poor concentration at the back. We did some work this week and hopefully, it can pay dividends.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s matches

Tivoli vs Montego Bay Utd at Anthony Spaulding Complex (3:30 p.m.)

Harbour View vs Waterhouse at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex (6 p.m.)

Humble Lion vs Portmore at Effortville (3 p.m.)

Vere vs Dunbeholden at Wembley Centre of Excellence (3 p.m.)

Lime Hall vs Mount Pleasant at Drax Hall (3 p.m.)