MoBay seek to renew advantage
The 2016-17 Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) season is set to resume tomorrow, following a twoweek break with some interesting matchups among the 12 contending teams.
Reigning champions and current leaders Montego Bay United (MBU) will look to maintain their top position when they face struggling Waterhouse at Wespow Park in St James, starting at 3 p.m.
MBU start the new year on 35 points from 17 games, while Waterhouse are in 11th position on 15 points and in the relegation zone. Both teams will be hunting points for obvious reasons. The MBU outfit will be looking to ensure a place in the top six for qualification to the Championship round in April, while Waterhouse are fighting to avoid the drop.
With that scenario, spectators in Montego Bay could be in for an exciting and close contest.
MBU could unleash Cornwall College daCosta Cup stars such as Jourdaine Fletcher and Peter-Lee Vassell. Both players played important roles in Cornwall lifting the top rural area schoolboy trophy last month.
They should get guidance from stalwarts such as captain Dwayne Ambusley, national strikers Dino Williams and Allan Ottey, among others.
Waterhouse have been struggling in the league since last season and is yet to get it right.
The St Andrewbased club parted ways with Marvin Tate and brought in former Tivoli Gardens coach Glendon ‘Admiral’ Bailey in the hot seat.
Bailey guided his new club to a 2-0 victory against newcomers Jamalco on December 21 to close off 2016. That was the first win for the new coach in four games since taking over.
Waterhouse will bank on veteran striker Jermain Anderson, Kemar Beckford, Romario Campbell, Irvino English, and Andre McFarlane for a positive result away.
In another game, Arnett who have been struggling to win since the players pay cut in October, will look for a bright start this year against the University of the West Indies FC at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
UWI are in third position on 32 points, while Arnett are three places behind on 22 points.
Maverley-Hughenden, who are unbeaten since Anthony Patrick replaced Lijyasu Simms as head coach face, Tivoli Gardens at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex in West Kingston.
Tivoli are in second position on 32 points, while promoted MaverleyHughenden climbed to seventh on 20 points.
In other games, Reno are expected to beat last-place Boys’ Town; Portmore are tipped to get the better of Jamalco; and Humble Lion are given the nod over Harbour View in a late game.
TOMORROW’S GAMES
3 p.m. — MBU vs Waterhouse at Wespow Park, St James 3 p.m. — Reno vs Boys’ Town at Frome Complex, Westmoreland 3 p.m. — Arnett Gardens vs UWI FC at Anthony Spaulding Complex 3 p.m. — Jamalco vs Portmore United at Wembley Centre of Excellence, Clarendon 3 p.m. — Tivoli Gardens vs Maverley-Hughenden at Edward Seaga Sports Complex 7 p.m. — Harbour View vs Humble Lion at Harbour View Stadium