Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

WATERHOUSE, 2-1 shock losers to last-place Village United last Sunday, need only a draw at August Town tomorrow afternoon to secure their spot in the second round final against Tivoli Gardens.

The men from Drewsland were left cursing their luck last week after being fancied to easily qualify for the cash incentive final but lost goalkeeper Richard McCallum, injured, before his substitute was sent packing on a red card, giving up a penalty, which handed Village the lead.

Coach Wayne Fairclough yesterday said McCallum is still on the sick list but was happy to welcome Maurice Evans, back from injury out of their 1-0 win at St. Georges the previous Wednesday.

August Town are next-to-last in the overall standings on 20 points, whereas Waterhouse are third on 35, five off leaders Tivoli and two behind second-place Portmore United.

harbour view's hope

However, defending champions Harbour View, who are on 16 second round points, three behind Waterhouse, are hoping for an August town victory at the University of the West Indies.

Harbour View, who are down to face resurgent Arnett Gardens, have everything to play for at home as they are three points behind Waterhouse, both in the second round and overall standings.

However, Fairclough said his team has put Sunday's loss behind them and are ready to face August Town on the road, with an aim to improve their overall standings.

"Losing to Village, who are at times our nemeses, is behind us," he said.

"Come Sunday, we need to salvage all three teams to keep in close touch with the leaders, Tivoli and Portmore. The second round final is important, but we need to get points and must take charge of the game early.

"It won't be like 2006 when Harbour View were ahead and we caught them to win the title. Lightning doesn't strike the same place twice. We need to get our act together."

Fairclough, who returned to Waterhouse late in the first round, turning around the Drewsland team's fortunes with seven wins, four draws and a loss, is wary of August Town but believes his side should have the relegation battlers covered.

"August Town is a good team with a good coach but we have the ammunition," he said, pointing to Daniel Shaw as the man to watch for the team, which they had beaten 3-1 in the first round.

"He is an excellent free-kicker. We have to look out for him. He's good all round and also good passer of the ball but they will have to come good to defeat us."

August Town are unbeaten in their last two games, beating Sporting Central 2-1 at Brancourt on Sunday with Shaw getting on the scoresheet.

missing players

Waterhouse will be missing midfielder Weston Forrest and suspended left back Garfield Reid but with new acquisition Leon Strickland set to debut along with prodigal son Roberto Fletcher after his one-round stint at Tivoli Gardens.

In other games, second-place Portmore United should get the better of Reno, who were idle last Sunday.

Arnett Gardens, bubbling on an unbeaten four-game streak under Jerome Waite, will have their mettle tested at Harbour View.

Arnett drew 1-1 at home with Portmore last Sunday, but Harbour View coach Lenny Hyde must still be ruing his side's last-minute 2-1 loss at Tivoli and will have the homesters gunning for a win against their old rivals with whom they had played to a 1-1 draw in the first round.

Fifth-place St. Georges are at home against leaders Tivoli Gardens, planning an ambush to stem their three-match losing streak.

Boys' Town, sharing 26 points with St. Georges but sixth on goal difference, are away at Village and seventh-place Sporting Central are at ninth-place Seba.

Games On

H View vs Arnett Gardens

Portmore vs Reno

Seba vs Sporting Central

August Town vs Waterhouse

Village vs Boys' Town

St. Georges vs Tivoli