WATERHOUSE FC coach Anthony Patrick is bracing for a “tough” battle when they clash with Barbican FC in the rescheduled Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) match on the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies, beginning at 3:30 pm.

Waterhouse, the only team still with a perfect win record in the competition, have six points from two outings after 3-0 and 1-0 victories over champions Montego Bay United and Humble Lion FC.

Barbican, in their first season of top- flight football after topping the all-island confederation play-offs, are also unbeaten after drawn results against Boys’ Town FC and Cavalier SC.

Patrick is aware the newcomers could provide stubborn resistance.

“They are a promoted team and there are youngsters within their group with talent, but we have a lot of quality also. We are playing well at the moment; we played two games and have maximum points, so it’s all about what we want to achieve by the end of the season,” the Waterhouse coach said.

The teams should have met in the opening round as part of a double-header at the National Stadium weeks ago, but that game was postponed because Waterhouse, last season’s runners-up, had a total of five players unavailable due to Jamaica’s international away assignment in Canada.

The in-form Waterhouse have been the most consistent team in the island since Patrick took over in January. Outside of the walloping dished to them by Montego Bay in the RSPL final, they have been virtually impregnable on the domestic scene.

Though all but eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions League, they created history in the tournament — pulling off two wins in the group stage. Before then, no Jamaican team had ever won a game at that tournament.

“How we finished the CONCACAF zone says a whole lot, but we know every team which comes up against us are going to bring their A game,” Patrick said.

The Barbican head coach Junior Francis, who once held the reins at Waterhouse, noted the weight of the challenge, but said he and his players have no fear.

“We are not afraid of any team. It will be a big task and Waterhouse are the team to beat at the moment. Nevertheless, the Barbican team will be going out there to get the three points. They are a good team, but we will bring some tactical play into that game,” Francis told the Jamaica Observer.

Barbican are currently using UWI to host matches while they complete renovation at their usual base off East King’s House Road.

Rescheduled RSPL game today

3:30 pm – Barbican vs Waterhouse @ UWI Bowl