Crucial ‘Garden’ battle for mid-table clubs
It will be another chapter in the battle of the Gardens when Tivoli host Arnett at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex in the Red Stripe Premier League tomorrow, starting at 3 p.m.
Whenever both teams meet, there is always loads of excitement, and the same is expected again. In the first round, a month ago, Tivoli finished with nine players and held Arnett in a 0-0 draw.
Tivoli are currently in fourth position on 23 points, while Arnett trails in sixth on 19 points, so a win is critical for both teams in the hunt to stay in the top six for qualification to the play-off next April.
Omar Edwards, coach of Tivoli, is looking forward to another tough battle against his fierce rivals.
“It will be a whole new game on Sunday. We went down to nine players on the last occasion against Arnett and came away with a point. We will be at home, and we always play to get three points there,” Edwards, who took over as head coach during the summer, told STAR Sports yesterday.
Tivoli has scored 19 goals, the most by any club this season and the coach is happy for that.
“We are scoring goals, and that is a plus. The team is at full strength, so as long as we execute the plan, we should be OK,” Edwards concluded.
Tivoli will look to top striker Elton Thompson and former Reggae Boy Jermaine ‘Teddy’ Johnson to continue their form. The backline will be marshalled by captain Romaine Breakenridge, who was red-carded in the first fixture on November 6 at the Anthony Spaulding Complex.
Meanwhile, Arnett’s veteran coach Jerome Waite says it is always a big game between the teams.
“It is always a rivalry when the teams clash as it brings out the best in the players,” Waite said.
“In the first game, Tivoli went down to nine players and came away with a point mainly due to some fine saves by their goalkeeper, ,Edsel Scott,” he added.
“I am expecting another mouth-watering game on Sunday. However, we will definitely be going there for three points to remain in the top six, but we hope to improve on the offensive end by scoring more goals,” Waite said.
Arnett will rely on national senior team defender Dicoy Williams, captain Oneil Thompson, Marvin Morgan Jnr, Newton Sterling, and Kemal Malcolm to ambush Tivoli.
In another game of high interest, leaders Montego Bay United will be hoping for revenge when they face the unpredictable Maverley-Hughenden at WesPow Park. In the first round, Maverley surprised MBU 2-1 at the same venue.
TOMORROW’S GAMES
Montego Bay United vs MaverleyHughenden at Wes Pow Park, St James
RSPL POINTS TABLE