Leaders Waterhouse to break jinx against Mount Pleasant at Drax Hall
Last year’s beaten finalist and current Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) leaders Waterhouse Football Club will be aiming to preserve their unbeaten record when they visit Mount Pleasant Football Academy at Drax Hall in St Ann today.
The contest is scheduled for 4:00 pm, while all other games are set for 3:00 pm starts.
Waterhouse have been enjoying good form since the start of the 2019-20 season, and that wave of momentum has propelled them to the summit of the standings on 19 points with six wins and a draw in seven games.
While they are firmly favoured to come away with win number seven, it is not expected to be an easy feat for Waterhouse as their record against Mount Pleasant is nothing to brag about.
In two meetings at Drax Hall last season, Waterhouse came out on the losing end of 0-1 and 0-2 scorelines, while their lone meeting at Drewsland ended goalless.
With that in mind, Head Coach Marcel “Fuzzy” Gayle and his charges are not expected to grandstand against their opponents, who will relish home court advantage in the presence of their robust spectators.
Mount Pleasant have so far failed to replicate their form from last season when making the semi-final on debut. They have only tasted victory once in their seven outings so far this season, and that poor run of form has left them sitting eighth on seven points.
Today’s contest represents a good opportunity to change their fortunes, but the likes of Ladale Ritchie, Ricardo Campbell, Daniel Green, Cardel Benbow, Francois Swaby and others will have to be on their toes to nullify Waterhouse’s Kenroy Howell, Andre Moulton, Stephen Williams and Colorado Murray.
After having their win streak halted in a goalless stalemate against Harbour View on last, high-riding Molynes United, in second also on 19 points, will be aiming to resume winning ways and also preserve their unbeaten record against sixth-place Cavalier, on eight points, at Drewsland.
It is expected to be an intriguing contest involving two fairly youthful teams, but Molynes United’s current form of bettering more experienced teams has given them a slight edge over a Cavalier team that has won two and lost three from their seven outings.
Third-place Harbour View on 11 points will have their tails high heading into today’s meeting against fourth-place Humble Lion on 10 points, after nudging the promoted Molynes United train off track to remain unbeaten in their last three games.
Like Harbour View, Humble Lion are also coming off a goalless stalemate, and the fact that both teams have only won one of their last five fixtures should make for an entertaining clash as they try to stay in touch with the leaders.
Meanwhile, cellar-dwellers Tivoli Gardens FC, on five points, will be hoping to overtake ninth-place Dunbeholden FC, on seven points, when they meet at Edward Seaga Sports Complex.
Tivoli Gardens are far from their usual competitive selves and as such have been struggling to find some semblance of form, while Dunbeholden remain inconsistent at best. A win today would mean a lot for both teams, particularly Tivoli Gardens, whose coach Phillip Williams might be feeling the pressure.
Finally, The University of the West Indies (UWI) FC and promoted team Vere United, in 10th and 11th position on five points each, respectively, could begin a resurgence at the expense of each other in what should be a keen battle.
Both teams started spiritedly, with victories at the top of the season, but their confidence has since waned, resulting in four losses and two draws in their next six games.
Tomorrow’s Heroes’ Day fixture will see seventh-place Arnett Gardens FC, on eight points, seeking to halt the four-match unbeaten run of champions Portmore United FC, who recovered from a wretched start to now sit fifth on 10 points. It is expected to be a thrilling contest between two old rivals to fittingly bring the curtains down on the holiday at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.