Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson of Waterhouse.

by Ainsley Walters, Star Writer

JUST when Arnett Gardens thought they would've got a break, things could get worse for the Junglists tomorrow when they face second-place Water-house at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex, starting at 4:00 p.m.

A pair of heartbreaking losses - a stoppage-time goal at Boys' Town last Sunday and a 30-yard screamer at home against Portmore on Wednesday - have Arnett slumped next-to-last in the Digicel Premier League standings without a point.

On the other hand, Waterhouse shook off their opening game disappointment, edging promoted Rivoli 1-0 at the Spanish Town Prison Oval on Wednesday after conceding a last-minute goal in a 1-1 draw with St Georges at Drewsland on Sunday.

genius

Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson has made Waterhouse's management seem like geniuses, netting in back-to-back matches.

Anderson is strong, fearless, wily, good in the air and comfortable on the ball, not exactly the type of player Arnett's defenders would want anywhere near their 18-yard box.

Waterhouse coach Wayne Fairclough said Anderson's work ethic and self-discipline were phenomenal.

"In the training sessions, he likes to score and, if he doesn't score, he penalises himself by doing a lot of press-ups. He punishes himself if he does not score in training," the Waterhouse coach pointed.

However, Anderson, who represented Montego Bay teams for most of his career and starred for Granville in their failed bid for promotion to the Premier League last season, will be a marked man among a team of youngsters at Arnett.

With the bulk of Waterhouse's seniors yet to reach the required fitness level, having recently returned from New York where they won the 'Caribbean' league for 'Jamaica', Fairclough has put faith in a number of youngsters, especially in midfield, after losing Weston Forrest, Hugh Howell and Andre Hickling to promoted Meadhaven.

"We've good Under-21 players, a good cadre, which we can select from. We're in the rebuilding phase," Fairclough pointed out.

"We basically have no senior player in midfield. There's Kenardo Forbes, Mark Miller and Lance DaCosta, who all average 20 years old or a little older," he said.

"However, our midfield is a fit and enthusiastic one, which loves to run, plus they are technically sound and it should be a good encounter in the middle," Fairclough added.

tough match

It's not midfield alone where Waterhouse will be depending on youth. With a defence minus Desmond Breakenridge and Roger Rodney, off to Arnett and Meadhaven, respectively, Marco McDonald is the lone senior protecting Richard McCallum in goal.

Fairclough admitted it would be a tough match for his team but has his plan all set.

"Arnett Gardens have always been tough and solid opponents against Waterhouse. We need to try and absorb as much pressure as we can, minimise errors and, when we get our chances, take them," he pointed out.

It's a risky call for Waterhouse especially with Arnett boasting the skilful Kevin 'Pele' Wilson, the speedy Horace Sharpe and dead-ball specialist Fabian Davis in the middle of the park.

Coach Jerome Waite was unforgiving on Wednesday, though giving credit to Portmore's Omar Campbell for a splendid goal.

"Arnett need to lift their game," he said. "We need to start putting away our chances," he added.

Arnett, man for man, should outplay Waterhouse. However, Fairclough, who led the men from Drewsland to the 2005-2006 title, is a sound tactician and should not be underestimated with his young squad.

In other games, champions Portmore United, aiming to keep their perfect start intact, travel as big favourites to play Village United at Jarrett Park.

Second-place Harbour View face testy Meadhaven at Constant Spring in what should be a cracker, as the promoted lads have two draws and a lot of confidence under their belts.

In mid-table, Sporting Central get the nod over promoted Rivoli at the Spanish Town Prison Oval. Boys' Town, who travel to face Reno at St Elizabeth Technical, have a tough task on hand as the hosts held Tivoli to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Tivoli will embark on the most dreaded road trip in the league, a visit to St Georges' Lynch Park to face the unbeaten homesters.

Games on

Meadhaven vs Harbour View - 3:30 at Constant Spring

Rivoli vs Sporting Central - 4:00 at Prison Oval

Reno vs Boys' Town - 3:30 at STETHS

Village vs Portmore - 7:00 at Jarrett Park

Arnett Gardens vs Waterhouse - 4:00 at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex

St Georges vs Tivoli - 3:30 at Lynch Park.