1 year ago
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WHEN TIVOLI Gardens entertain Chapelton Maroons in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) at the Edward Seaga Complex today at 3 p.m., it will be the first time in the post-COVID era, the west Kingston side will be playing at their home venue.
In other games, Racing travel to Effortville Community Centre to face Humble Lion, while Portmore play Dundeholden at Ferdi Neita Park – both at 3 p.m.
Tivoli last played at the Edward Seaga Complex in the 2019-20 JPL season, which was abandoned after the arrival of COVID-19 to the island in March 2020.
Coach of Tivoli, Jerome Waite, said it is always good to have that strong home support behind the team, and he is looking for maximum support from the fans on their return.
“Our next game is against Chapelton Maroons and it is a welcome back to the Edward Seaga Complex. It will be our first home game for the season and also over a very long period of time, and we expect the support to be maximised and be fully behind the team,” he said.
“At all times, it is always great to play at home. That will motivate and inspire, not only the players but the supporters who turn out in numbers to support the team so they can continue to do well.”
After a dramatic 5-3 defeat to arch rivals Arnett Gardens in their last match, Tivoli stayed in eighth position on 27 points, one behind seventh-place Racing and seven adrift of Waterhouse in sixth.
Waite said the objective is to start winning again, so they can resume their climb up the standings in search of a top-six spot.
“We had a hiccup the last game, and I don’t even know if you can call it a hiccup. It was one of those sad moments. We have tried to put that behind us and move forward.
“Chapelton is playing some good football and they are showing consistency. So they are a team that you cannot take lightly. But the whole objective is we need to get back on track and start winning games,” he added.
Chapelton are 11th with 20 points. They started life well under newly appointed coach Jermaine Douglas in December, losing only one in five and picking up eight points over the period.
However, in their last five matches, they have had four defeats and one win, and another defeat could see them slipping into the bottom two, if teams below them also win.
Hoping for Racing slip-up
Tivoli will be hoping seventh-place Racing slip up against Humble Lion so they can also overtake them in the standings.
However, Racing are the in-form team in the league at present, with four successive wins and unbeaten in five.
While Humble Lion, who are bottom of the table on 14 points, appear to be spiralling further into relegation troubles after four straight defeats.
At Ferdi Neita Park, the resurging Dunbeholden under the tutelage of returning coach Harold Thomas, are against the unpredictable but hard to beat, Portmore.
Dunbeholden, 10th on 22 points, have quickly climbed out of the relegation zone since Thomas’ return and will look to continue their trek up the standings with victory over Portmore in this derby.
Although Portmore (fourth on 38 points) tend to drop points regularly, they do not lose many games, only four thus far this season. So even if not at their best, it will not be easy for the visitors to come away with all three.
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