THEIR last encounter was a heated affair. It resulted in two-match bans for Orane Simpson and Garfield Reid, who scrapped throughout and after the Cash Plus Premier League second-round match, which Waterhouse won 2-0 at Drewsland, avenging a 1-0 first-round loss at Tivoli.
Tomorrow's second-round final, featuring both teams, starting 6:30 p.m. at Harbour View, is set to be another cracker, especially after Tivoli's 4-0 embarrassment in Jackie Bell quarter-final action at Arnett Gardens on Thursday.
Tivoli, who also made the first round final and were beaten 1-0 by Portmore United, started a full-strength side against Arnett but were trounced in a match, which manager Brian Rose said his players took for granted.
"I don't think the guys were focussed and took our opponents a bit lightly," said Rose, referring to Arnett, who sit 10th in the overall Premier League standings, 16 points below joint leaders Tivoli.
very disturbing
It was Tivoli's second loss in four days following a 1-0 defeat in the Premiership at promoted St. Georges last Sunday.
"It was very disappointing. Everybody was dejected and we are set to have a meeting today to discuss the loss," Rose said yesterday. "We have not taken it lightly as it was very disturbing to management and players.
"Waterhouse is a good team, which performs well in one-off games. After losing two matches in succession, if we're not a hundred per cent focussed for this team, they can hurt us badly," the Tivoli manager added.
In addition to Simpson still being out on suspension, Tivoli have Kasai Hinds, Kevin Blackford and Leon Gordon on the injury list.
Tivoli felt Waterhouse's wrath last time out as goals from Kevin Lamey and Jomo Gordon snapped Tivoli's unbeaten second round streak.
Waterhouse coach, Wayne Fairclough, anticipates a Tivoli onslaught.
"They will be coming at full strength. A final is a final," said Fairclough. "They lost the first-round final to Portmore and will be giving their all."
Fairclough described Tivoli as a strong, physical team with excellent tactical teamwork.
"They will be coming to prove but we know what it takes," he said.
Waterhouse drew their last Premiership match 1-1 at August Town last Sunday. They have been playing well in the Jackie Bell knockout, beating Boys' Town 2-1 and rallying from a goal down to stop Cavalier 3-1 on Thursday.
New signing Leon Strickland was on target for Waterhouse against Cavalier and Fairclough confirmed the former Arnett player will start on Sunday.
"He has been playing well so far. Come Sunday he will be trying to create more opportunities," he said.
Fairclough said Strickland's strike partner is to be decided. However, the pair of Lamey and Strickland could strike terror in the heart of Tivoli's defence.
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