By AINSLEY WALTERS, Staff ReporterOF THE TOP five teams vying for spots in the semi-finals of the Wray and Nephew Premiership, Rivoli United must have the toughest fixture tomorrow afternoon, hosting wounded but dangerous Arnett Gardens at the Spanish Town Prison Oval.
Slumping on 38 points in seventh position after another boardroom victory handed them a 3-0 win against Star Cosmos from a 2-2 draw with the minnows at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex, coach Jerome Waite yesterday conceded Arnnet have only "a slim mathematical chance" of making the semis.
However, Rivoli, who are joint fourth on 46 points with Waterhouse but fifth on goal difference, know much better than letting down their guard against mid-table Arnett Gardens in their quest to keep pace with the top four.
Meanwhile, Waterhouse are at their Drewsland lair awaiting last-placed Star Cosmos in a midweek Premier League schedule which pits minnows against top-level semi-final aspirants with the exception of Rivoli-Arnett.
Runaway leaders Tivoli (60) are at Railway against relegation-threatened Invaders, joint second-placed Portmore (50) are back at Ferdie Neita Park, which hasn't been a comfortable ground for them but should still be at home against Seba (23) and in-form Harbour View (50) can't quarrel with their away match against Reno (28).
Arnett might be down and out but are burning to put one over on Rivoli, who they are yet to beat this season in three tries. The Junglists have unpleasant memories of their first round match-up against Rivoli, a game they led 2-0 at half-time before the Spanish Town comeback artistes scored twice in the final 14 minutes to force a draw.
Think seriously
Rubbing salt into their opponents' wounds, Rivoli beat Arnett 2-1 when Waite's side headed to the old capital for the second round and held them 0-0 in the first match of the third round.
"The most important thing at this time is to play for pride," Waite told STAR Sports last night.
"The team did not come to life this season but we still have to think seriously about pride. That's the most important thing at this time and I'm hoping they'll play to that effect," he added.
However, Rivoli coach Bradley Stewart last night said nothing less than maximum points at the halfway stage of the third round will do for Rivoli, who bowed out of the Federation Cup Sunday, beaten 1-0 in sudden-death extra-time by Super Leaguers Santos.
"We have to get maximum points or we could find ourselves at a distance to the top teams, who are playing weaker sides, he noted.
"We trained today even after playing yesterday and the spirit is high. We had a hectic schedule, three games in one week and travelling twice to Reno, which was a little tough to play a week later in the Federation Cup. We had a red card situation and was missing a key defender but only lost in the second period of extra-time."
Stewart's team will be missing Mark Wisdom, who's out on yellow cards but Arnett are still without injured Kevin Wilson and Cornel Chin-Sue. However, there's always Walter Boyd, Keith Kelly to bolster Arnett's attacks. In addition, Leon Strickland has been on target in the Junglists last three games, scoring five goals between the Premiership and Federation Cup action.
However, their defence has leaked badly this season and Patrick Beech shows no mercy from in and around the area. He hasn't scored in four games including Sunday's loss to Santos when he was brought off the bench before extra-time but has two notches on his boots from Arnett encounters this season.
Rivoli play tough football and will give no quarter at home but Arnett can spring a fast one especially if Boyd reports in a mean mood. It will be a good match-up at the Oval.
Games On
Rivoli United vs Arnett Gardens
Reno vs Harbour View
Waterhouse vs Star Cosmos
Village United vs Constant Spring
Tivoli Gardens vs Invaders
Portmore vs Seba
