by Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer
Christopher Nicholas ... should be back in action for Tivoli. - file
IT will be a top-four showdown this weekend when leaders Portmore travel to Harbour View and second-place Tivoli host third-place Boys' Town in Cash Plus Premier League action at the Edward Seaga Stadium.
Another key clash will be the mid-table battle between sixth-place Sporting Central and the team of the third round, Village United, who are seventh and vying for a top-six spot for the fourth round after spending the first two rounds at the foot of the standings.
Whereas Portmore are positioned as the team to catch in the title race, leading the standings on 57 points, one ahead of Tivoli, defending champions Harbour View have struggled this season, winning their first match in four outings last Wednesday, edging fifth-place Waterhouse 1-0.
The Stars of the East suffered a further setback, recently, when star forward Fabian Taylor signed a loan deal to play in Norway, blunting their attack.
On the contrary, Portmore have benefited from the return of goalscorer Roen Nelson, who has shot to the top of the goalscorers' list with his exquisite shooting from inside the box, netting five goals against August Town and four at Tivoli.
With a strong cast of midfielders, such as Woolry Wolfe, Eric Vernon, Anthony Bennett and Kevin Deerr, to supply him with passes, Nelson will be dangerous at Harbour View tomorrow.
It took Waheem Walker's moment of brilliance to win three points for Harbour View on Wednesday as they were let off the hook by Newton Sterling's unbelievable miss, which should have at least forced a draw.
Portmore must be fancied to beat Harbour View, putting pressure on Tivoli to get past an improved Boys' Town.
Most improved
Manager Brian Rose yesterday admitted it won't be an easy task although they won 1-0 at home in the first round.
"Boys' Town and Village are the two most-improved teams of the third round and we have to be wary," Rose said, noting that their second round match ended in a 0-0 draw at Collie Smith Drive.
"It will be a tough game against a hard-running team for 90 minutes. We have to be prepared and focused to run with them for 90 minutes."
Rose noted Portmore's free-running ways and said Tivoli must stay close should they slip.
"For us to win the championship we have to stay in contention with Portmore, and nothing but a win on Sunday will be sufficient to keep a close rein on them."
Tivoli's trump card against Boys' Town could be the return of Christopher Nicholas, who finally completed his registration this week.
However, Tivoli have been doing quite well with the likes of Jermaine Allen, Roland Dean, Horace Howell, Navion Boyd and Jermaine Grey, keeping them within striking distance of Portmore.
Kevin Blackford has also come on a ton in midfield and should again play a vital role after netting in last week's 2-1 win against Waterhouse.
Outside the top four, fifth-place Waterhouse, on 42 points, are at home to St Georges', who have slumped to ninth on goal difference, sharing 35 points with eighth-place Seba.
Just two points separate sixth from ninth and St Georges will be gunning to climb back into the top-six, which will play in a separate group in the fourth round, whereas the bottom six will play to avoid relegation.
However, the money must be on Waterhouse at Drewsland after back-to-back losses on the road. In addition, St Georges' away record is poor.
Sporting Central against new and improved Village at Brancourt should be caustic. Village may be hot but Brancourt is Sporting Central's cutting board and no team should take them lightly at home.
Games On
Arnett Gardens vs Seba United at 3:30 p.m.
Reno vs August Town at 3:30 p.m.
Sporting Central vs. Village United at 3:30 p.m.
Tivoli Gardens vs. Boys' Town at 5:00 p.m.
Waterhouse vs. St Georges at 6:00 p.m.
Harbour View vs. Portmore United at 6:30 p.m.
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