By Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

Damoin Harwood of St. Georges (left) and his teammates celebrate his second goal against Portmore United at Lynch Park on Sunday. St. Georges beat Portmore 3-1. - Gareth Davis

TIVOLI GARDENS, with just two wins on the road this season, face a tough away match-up against Reno tomorrow afternoon in their first game as new leaders of the Cash Plus Premier League.

Christopher Jackson's strike in time-added against relegation zone side Arnett Gardens knocked Portmore United from atop the standings on Sunday, pushing Tivoli to 30 points, two clear of the first round winners.

However, for Tivoli to defend their lead tomorrow, the men from west Kingston will have to prove themselves on the road against eighth-place Reno, who are burning for a win and a reversal of a 2-0 loss at the Edward Seaga Stadium earlier this season.

Portmore, who have lost three of their last four games including Sunday's 3-1 whipping at St. Georges' Lynch Park fortress, must be pondering their fate against Village at Ferdie Neita Park, but could very well grab the lead from Tivoli if the leaders falter in St. Elizabeth.

Tivoli's manager, Brian Rose, admitted his team's poor away record, two wins including one from an own-goal, is no comfort heading to Reno, who have drawn their last three games, the last being at Boys' Town on Sunday.

"The record speaks for itself," said Rose. "We've had a poor showing on the road so far. Our aim is to win and stay in front. To do so, we have to win on Wednesday," he added.

"It will be a harder game away from home but all that aside, our focus is to get three points," Rose pointed out.

However, similar to several other teams in the league, the Tivoli manager lamented the poor form of his strikers as it was a defender, Christopher Jackson, their leading scorer with three strikes, who gave them a 1-0 win against Arnett on Sunday.

"That's a big issue, a big concern," said Rose. "Getting 10 chances and scoring one, isn't giving value to the team. Our focus is on constant drilling. We're not giving up on them."

Reno's Wendell Downswell, also complained about missed chances by strikers saying it was a problem throughout the league.

"In most of the games, we outplayed teams but aren't converting chances," he said. "We recently dominated against Waterhouse but did not score.

"We have been playing attractive and tight especially in defence but not scoring the goals.

" We have major problem in converting chances. I don't think we have quality finishers in the league," he explained.

"They get by the defenders but that level of concentration, whether to slot in, drive to the near or far post, or just a chip, has been eluding the forwards.

"I think it's bad technique along with poor decision making. A number of the teams I 've spoken to, the Portmore people are also saying the same thing. They dominated against St. Georges but did not score."

However, Downswell is looking forward to what he described as a "classic match-up".

The former national coach said his team is ready for Tivoli's challenge with no injuries to report.

Fabian Blake, is the man to watch for Reno down the right side of midfield, while Kirk Wright and Ricardo Scott, on their best day, could punish Tivoli at STETHS.

The leaders will have to be at their best to leave the west still in pole position as Portmore will be all over Village at Ferdie Neita Park in a bid to claw their way back to pole position.

Waterhouse, Harbour View

Waterhouse and Harbour View both secured 1-0 home wins on Sunday and clash head-on at Drewsland tomorrow with the homesters holding down third-place, one point ahead of the visiting defending champions.

It's a contrast of styles, which often produces a terrific game when both teams square-off, silky Harbour View with smooth midfielders Jermaine Hue and Loxley Thomas, feeding passes to tricky forwards Kavin Bryan and Fabian Taylor.

Waterhouse are rough and tumble, no frills, barring their executioner, Kevin Lamey, who sends chills down defenders' spines whenever he is summoned off the bench.

Irvino English is back in Waterhouse's line-up with all his skills intact after missing most of the first round. Damion Powell is another veteran, whose awareness can destroy any team.

Add young striker, Brian Wollaston, to Waterhouse's mix and Harbour View have a game on their hands at Drewsland.

In other games, fifth-place St. Georges, yet to win a game on the road, went close last Wednesday, leading Seba twice at Jarrett Park, and could put it across troubled Arnett Gardens at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex.

St. Georges led Tivoli at the Edward Seaga Stadium in their final game of the first round and are not to be under-estimated away from Lynch Park.

Boys' Town travel to Sporting Central after Oneil McDonald's hat-trick gave them a big 3-1 win at Collie Smith Drive in the first round. However, the Red Brigade should not expect another walkover at Brancourt.

Seba get the nod against August Town at Jarrett Park after the homesters won 3-1 at UWI in the first round.

Games On

Waterhouse vs Harbour View at 4 p.m.

Sporting Central vs Boys' Town at 3 p.m.

Reno vs Tivoli Gardens at 3 p.m.

Arnett Gardens vs St. Georges 5 p.m.

Portmore United vs Village 3 p.m.

Seba vs August Town at 6 p.m.