Cavalier, Waterhouse expect dogfight

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Cavalier and Waterhouse FC will both go for their second win of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season, when the two meet in the feature game of match day three, on Sunday at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 5 p.m.

In other games, Arnett play Racing at the same venue at 7:30 p.m., Vere Phoenix take on Humble Lion at Wembley Centre of Excellence at 3 p.m. and Harbour View play Molynes at Compound, also at 3 p.m.

The new-look Waterhouse kick-started their campaign with a 1-0 win over promoted Racing in week one, but rested on match day two because their opponents, Mount Pleasant were involved in the Caribbean Cup.

Cavalier, who sat out match day one, also because of their involvement in the Caribbean Cup, they got their season off the ground with a 2-1 win over Portmore United but failed to make it two from two after they gave up an added-time goal in their rescheduled encounter against Humble Lion on Wednesday.

Cavalier coach Rudolph Speid said games between the two rivals have always been tight and he expects nothing less today.

“Waterhouse have been successful against us in the past, more than we have (against them). All the games between us have always been close.

Last year we won 1-0 and the other one drew. So that has always been the nature of the games between Cavalier and Waterhouse and we expect the same,” he said.

“Marcel Gayle is an astute, seasoned coach. He will not be giving away anything. We won’t either. So it will be margins, who makes the first mistake, that could decide it.”

Speid said he knows very little of the pieces Gayle has added to his roster, but backs his team to take something from the match.

“They have made some changes. We have made some changes too. So it’s one of those games where both of us are going in fairly blind.

“But we always back ourselves to get a positive result. We have played two games and we haven’t lost any, so we expect to continue in the same vein and get a positive result,” he stated.

The game will be a true test for Marcel Gayle’s newly assembled unit, which include the likes of 2021 JPL topscorer Atapharoy Bygrave, who netted the team’s goal in the first match, former Portmore attacking midfielder Martin Davis, Leonardo Jebbison, returning defender Roshawn Amos, along with key players from last season such as JPL topscorer Javane Bryan, Nickoy Christian, Denardo Thomas and goalkeeper Kemar Foster.

With the additions, Waterhouse supporters will be expecting a more serious challenge for the title this term, and a win over the champions could give the Drewsland-based team the confidence to boost their title aspirations.

At the Wembley Centre of Excellence, Vere will also be seeking their second win from three games. The Lenworth Hyde-coached team got a much-needed confidence boost with their win over Molynes. And after an outstanding performance, will be optimistic of getting three points again.

Humble Lion, with their late come back, to draw 1-1 with Cavalier, showed they will be no pushovers under Donovan Duckie’s guidance this season. However, Vere have the superior quality and will start favourites in this Clarendon derby.

Harbour View rebounded from their opening-day defeat to Chapelton Maroons, with a surprise win over Montego Bay United, and will want to keep that momentum when they host Molynes at the Harbour View Mini-stadium.

Molynes, on the other hand, will want to get off the mark but will have to contend with the home team’s enthusiasm of playing their first game at home in four years.

In the other game, Arnett will start as favourites over new boys Racing, who are still beaming from their first JPL win last weekend.

Although they start as underdogs, the Anthony Patrick-coached Racing will take heart from their two performances, and will fancy another good display as well as getting something from the game.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

Vere vs Humble Lion at Wembley (3 pm)

Harbour View vs Molynes at Compound (3 pm)

Waterhouse vs Cavalier at Anthony Spaulding (5 pm)

Arnett vs Racing at Anthony Spaulding (7:30 pm)

Tomorrow’s Games

Chapelton vs MBU at Anthony Spaulding (5 pm)

Portmore vs Tivoli at Anthony Spaulding (7:30 pm)