Beefed up Arnett tackle Tivoli

STACKED with five new players brought in to improve their seven goals in 15 games tally, seventh-place Arnett Gardens travel to the Edward Seaga Stadium tomorrow afternoon, hoping their acquisitions will help them repeat their first-round victory over second-place Tivoli Gardens.

Striker Newton Sterling, midfielder Loxley Thomas and Ricardo Smith, former Portmore United players, join Tafari O'Connor and utility player Kevin King of Crystal Palace in the United States as players brought in to improve Arnett's form in front goal.

tougher rivals

The Junglists moved to 15 points, seventh in the table, with a 1-0 win at Sporting Central last Sunday but face much tougher rivals playing Tivoli in their backyard.

Tivoli have stuck to the task, chasing Harbour View atop the standings, holding second place, two points behind, on goal difference over defending champs Portmore United.

Coach Lenny Hyde yesterday said Arnett, who beat them 1-0 at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex in the first round, are always tough to play.

"Even without those players they are a tough team whenever they play Tivoli," Hyde said.

"With the addition of those players it will be a tougher team but the vibe in the camp is good, as they're training hard," he added.

Whereas Arnett will be bolstered by their new players, Tivoli, who edged Reno 1-0 at Frome last week, will have strikers Roland Dean and Navion Boyd, along with midfielder Orane Simpson back in their line-up.

Dean, Boyd and the speedy Simpson, Hyde said, has strengthened Tivoli's line-up, which must be gunning for revenge against Arnett.

Tivoli at home could maul Arnett Gardens with their main attacking players now back in the team.

"We have a better goal difference than Portmore," said Hyde. "Our objective is to hit the front and this is the opportune time. We respect the Arnett team and expect a tough game but my camp is training well and scoring goals," he pointed out.

Arnett is not the most outsider-friendly team in the Premiership, so the newcomers playing their first match away from the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex, could be a blessing in disguise.

Meanwhile, leaders Harbour View must get the nod over Reno at Compound. The leaders held Meadhaven to a 1-1 draw last week and should easily take out Reno.

Last week, Reno led Portmore 1-0 to the 89th minute before going down 2-1 in stoppage time.

Defending champions Portmore will play Meadhaven, awaiting the promoted team at Ferdie Neita Park. With Portmore's Roen Nelson in top form, Meadhaven, who conceded goals in the final three minutes of their last two games, will be in trouble.

Stinging from last week's 2-1 loss at sixth-place St Georges, Boys' Town are back at home against Rivoli and should run rings around the Spanish Town side.

Sixth-place Waterhouse travel to Sporting Central, who have not won a match in ages. Waterhouse are looking to jump from mid-table but will have to be wary at Brancourt, Clarendon.

Tommorow's games:

Portmore United vs Meadhaven at Ferdie Neita Park at 7 p.m.

Boy's Town vs Rivoli United at Collie Smith Drive 3 p.m.

Harbour View vs Reno at Harbour View mini Stadium 6:30 p.m.

Waterhouse vs Village United at Waterhouse Stadium at 4 p.m.

Tivoli Gardens vs Arnett Gardens at Edward Seaga Stadium 5 p.m.

Sporting Central vs St Georges at Brancourt at 3 p.m.