file - Eric Vernon ... one of three players missing from Portmore's midfield.

by Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

EVEN though their midfield has been gutted as a result of seven regular starters being summoned to the national camp being held in Brazil, Portmore United have boldly gone where no local team has gone before.

In a show of strength, the Cash Plus Premier League title contenders, knocked off the top of the standings by Tivoli Gardens on Wednesday, have decided to play the leaders at the Edward Seaga Stadium tomorrow, instead of requesting a postponement from the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

Teams missing five players to national duties are normally afforded a postponement of Premiership games by the JFF, but Portmore have bucked the trend although coach Linval Dixon hinted of a postponement on Wednesday following Portmore's 2-0 home loss to Boys' Town.

issued a release

Portmore, second on 44 points, yesterday issued a release, saying it would play its next two games, away against Tivoli (46) tomorrow and at home to Portmore United, and had only requested a postponement for a March 16 away match at Village United.

Portmore are set to be in the Cayman Islands for the weekend of March 15-16, playing that country's national team, which is preparing for CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.

Chairman Wayne Sinclair yesterday told STAR Sports Portmore are confident its remaining players would prove themselves in the top-of-the-table clash at Tivoli.

"The management and technical teams have a lot of confidence in our total programme," he said.

"Our Under-21s have won four or five titles in a row and are not doing badly this season, plus we saw this as an opportunity to give the younger players as well as other experienced ones, not generally getting a chance to play in the Premier League, the opportunity to step up and we would want to do that in a pressure situation," he added.

crucial match

Portmore will be without its entire starting midfield of Ricardo Cousins, Richard Austin, Wolry Wolfe and Eric Vernon in addition to defender Adrian Reid, goalkeeper Dwayne Kerr and striker Roen Nelson.

Sinclair admitted tomorrow's match is a crucial one with Tivoli two ahead approaching the halfway stage of the third round, and described the move as a gamble.

A GAMBLE

"We have players called away for national duty and we can't take that opportunity from them," he said.

"Its definitely a gamble. Tivoli and St Georges are tough teams but we want to solidify the totality of our organisation and thought this was a good time to do it," the Portmore chairman said.

Tivoli's Brian Rose, whose team was embarrassed 3-0 at home by Portmore before grabbing a 1-0 away win in the second round, yesterday said his team would not be taking their rivals lightly.

"That won't make us any more comfortable," Rose said. "As far as we're concerned, Portmore have a very good squad with depth. Not because they're missing seven regulars means they're weak."

Tivoli are also missing players in Brazil, Navion Boyd, Christopher Jackson and Oraine Simpson as well as goalie Edsel Scott, who was red-carded in Wednesday's 2-1 win at Seba.

It's left to be seen how a weakened Portmore fare against the leaders, who are high on confidence's after netting four goals in back-to-back wins.

matches on

Harbour View vs Sporting Central at 4 p.m.

Waterhouse vs Reno at 6 p.m.

Tivoli Gardens vs Portmore at 5 p.m.

St. Georges vs Seba at 3:30 p.m.

Village United vs August Town at 3:30 p.m.