Gayle: Problems over at Waterhouse

After a two-week break to facilitate the participation of Montego Bay United and Waterhouse in the regional Champions League competition, the Red Stripe Premier League will return to its exciting best today.

With all six games set to start at 3:40 p.m. due to the fact that two play-off spots are still up for grabs and one relegation spot is to be decided. In the two weeks that the League was idle, most of the attention centred on the missteps and non-participation of the Waterhouse Football Club in the Champions League and their subsequent fine by the Caribbean Football Union. That issue is now behind them according to assistant coach Marcel Gayle as they look to get back to the business of claiming the title that they hope to show with a win over eighth-placed Boys' Town.

"People will not see eye to eye at all times but we have decided to let bygones be bygones. We have met and discussed the issues and have decided to move forward.," Gayle told The Sunday Gleaner.

A united front is what people will see today, Gayle said.

"We can and will have no excuses tomorrow. All the players will be available. Tramaine (Stewart), Evan (Taylor), Jermain Anderson, Richard McCallum, Hughan Gray as well as coaches Christopher Bender, Anthony Patrick and Marcel Gayle," he said.

BIT OF TROUBLE

Defending champions Montego Bay United had their bit of trouble, too, with the sacking of coach Carlos Garcia and the engagement of Dr Dean Weatherley, the man who came in at a similar time last year to guide them to the title. Today, they will host Humble Lion, who like them, are fighting for the two remaining play-off places. What makes this game even more interesting is the fact that Humble Lion are guided by Donovan Duckie, the man who brought Montego Bay United to the doorsteps of the local football kingdom before severing ties with Montego Bay United.

Viewed by many as the coach of the year for his transformative work with Humble Lion, taking them from relegation battlers to title contenders, a win for Humble Lion will give Duckie the opportunity to remind Montego Bay United of his qualities while Dr Weatherley, with a win, will show that he is still the boss.

At the bottom of the table, things are even hotter with the trio of Reno Football Club, Sporting Central and Rivoli United battling to avoid joining Barbican in the lower leagues next season. 11th-placed Reno, two points behind 10th-placed Sporting Central, should improve their chances of survival when they play away to Barbican.

With very little to play for but pride, Barbican could enter the game without the fight they showed at points in the season.

Today's games

• Cavalier vs Arnett Gardens - Stadium East

• Barbican vs Reno - Barbican Complex

• Harbour View vs Tivoli Gardens - Harbour View Stadium

• Montego Bay United vs Humble Lion - Wespow Park

• Sporting Central vs Rivoli United - Juici Park, Clarendon

• Waterhouse vs Boys Town - Drewsland Stadium

All matches kick off at 3:40 p.m.