by Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

Tivoli's Dwight Heron (left) and Owen Gordon of Sporting Central battle for possession during a match between the two clubs in January. - file

LEADERS Tivoli Gardens face a tricky away match-up at promoted Sporting Central tomorrow afternoon as the Cash Plus Premier League enters the third round's crucial stretch at the end of which, teams will be divided to vie for the title, or battle to avoid relegation.

Tivoli jumped atop the standings last Sunday in the absence of Portmore United, beating lowly Reno 3-1 at home to move to 52 points. Sitting two points clear of Portmore, who have a game in hand against Village United, Tivoli's trip to Clarendon tomorrow is set to be a tough one.

Sporting Central had whipped Tivoli 2-0 at Brancourt in the first round, embarrassing the Kingstonians as the second goal came on the stroke of full time after the homesters were reduced to nine men.

Tivoli returned the favour in the return match but Sporting have been showing improved form in their last two games, drawing 0-0 at third-place Boys' Town, and slamming Waterhouse 3-0 in Clarendon.

The leaders badly need a win as Portmore United, who hardly skipped a beat while their best players were away on national duties in Brazil, are back to full strength and hunting a win against last-place August Town at Ferdie Neita Park.

August Town scored their first win last week, clobbering Seba United 3-0 at the UWI Bowl following a 2-2 draw with Harbour View.

Mitchily Waul has been spurring August Town's relegation battle with two goals in as many games but will face the tough task of getting on the scoresheet against Portmore's defence, the stingiest in the league this season.

Boys' Town on 43 points are some way off the top two teams but not out of the reach of fourth-place Waterhouse, giving their match-up at Drewsland top billing tomorrow.

The Red Brigade are the top-performing team of the third round, winning four of six games, whereas Waterhouse are yet to register a victory in five.

Waterhouse relish big games and winning at Drewsland has not been easy for visitors this season, with only Village claiming full-points at the venue so far.

The teams played to 1-1 draws in the first two rounds, but Boys' Town are extremely dangerous as George Vernal, Renae Lloyd and Michael Campbell have them on target to make the third-round final.

Waterhouse are yet to regain the sting, which had them winning the second-round final and reaching the title match of the aborted Jackie Bell Knockout.

However, with a win capable of pulling them within a point of Boys' Town, Waterhouse will be lying in ambush for the Red Brigade.

In fifth-place, defending champions Harbour View are fresh from their embarrassing episode against DC United in second-leg quarter-final action in Washington, but should still get the better of faltering Seba at Jarrett Park.

Meanwhile, St Georges, who have been hanging on to sixth place, one ahead of Seba, have only their away jitters to get over for a win against next-to-last Reno.

Village United, second in the third-round standings, travel to Arnett Gardens in a battle of ninth and 10th-place teams respectively.

It should be an interesting affair between improved teams with Arnett getting the nod on home advantage after blowing their two-goal lead for a 2-2 draw at St Georges last week.