By AINSLEY WALTERS, Staff Reporter
junior dowie - Harbour View's Lovell Palmer (right)
LEADERS HARBOUR VIEW put their three-game win streak on the line against defending champions Portmore United at Compound tomorrow afternoon in what should be a hot Wray and Nephew Premier League match-up.
Coasting on a three-point lead atop the standings, Harbour View, last year's preliminary round winners, are yet to drop a point and are harbouring hopes of going all the way in the new 'straight league' format.
Back-to-back draws
Portmore are undefeated in three games themselves but have blotted their books with back-to-back draws against Village and Rivoli United.
However, the men from Ferdie Neita Park will be Harbour View's toughest opponents in four games, definitely a notch up from the likes of Wadadah, Constant Spring and Reno.
The 6:30 clash at Compound, a repeat of last season's Red Stripe Champions Cup final, is one of four games set for the Corporate Area.
Waterhouse, sporting new signings Marco McDonald from Tivoli Gardens and Jomo Gordon from Harbour View, are at home against Wadadah of Montego Bay, starting at 5:00 p.m.
Tivoli are also at home, awaiting Constant Spring at the Edward Seaga Stadium for a 3:30 clash and promoted Boys' Town will play their home game against Reno at Constant Spring, starting at 3:30.
Rivoli United await Arnett gardens at the Spanish Town Prison Oval in a 4:00 match-up and Village host Seba at the Elliston-Wakeland Centre at 3:30 p.m.
Comprehensive whipping
Portmore had the best of Harbour View in three of four games last season including a comprehensive 3-1 whipping in the Red Stripe Champions Cup.
Harbour View's only win over Portmore last season was a 1-0 nip, off a Jermaine Hue penalty kick, in the third round.
However, the men from Compound will be an inspired bunch at home with captain Lovell Palmer on a high with four goals in three games from his midfield position. New signings Loxley Thomas and Kevin King combined nicely last Sunday to give their team the clincher in a 2-1 win against Reno on the road and will be keen to impress at home with their tails high just now.
Portmore, who will have coach Paul Young on the bench for the first time this season, will be without two starters, forward Ashane Murray and midfielder Omar Daley. Murray is out on an accumulation of cards whereas Daley saw straight red for an of-the-ball incident in last Sunday's 1-1 draw against Rivoli.
However, the champions have the deepest and most deadly bench in the league, a weapon they used to good effect under last season's championship playoff.
Defence will be key with Portmore's backline having to contend with national striker Luton Shelton's tormenting pace. Marcellino Blackburn might not have Shelton's reputation but has a habit of popping up on the end of passes inside the box and cannot be underestimated.
Harbour View's wingbacks will have their hands busy with Portmore's attackers, who tend to come down the flanks before cutting inside from where their long-range shooters can be deadly.
However, apart from promoted Seba, Portmore are yet to assert themselves in three games and could be in trouble on the road against a confident Harbour View.
Waterhouse, third on six points, will have to be wary of Wadadah, who cut down Tivoli Gardens 3-1 at Jarrett Park last Sunday.
Drewsland men
The Drewsland men are yet to score more than one goal in a match this season but Sunday's win against Seba on the road suggested the Calvert Fitzgerald-coached side is finding its footing, registering their second consecutive win after opening the league with a 0-2 away loss against Arnett Gardens.
Tivoli are favourites against Constant Spring and Boys' Town should be given the edge over. Boys' Town are relentless runners and their never-say-die attitude will do them good against travelling Reno.
Rivoli at home could spring an upset on a youthful Arnett Gardens whereas Village-Seba could go either way in Trelawny.
Games On
W'house vs Wadadah at 5:00 p.m.
Tivoli Gardens vs Constant Spring at 3:30
Boys' Town vs Reno at Constant Spring 3:30
Harbour View vs Portmore at 6:30
Rivoli vs Arnett 4:00
Village United vs Seba United 3:30.
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