Ryon Jones, Star Writer

The FAlmouth-based Village United, who have got off to a fantastic start in the third round of the Digicel Premier League, will face their sternest challenge to date when they travel to the Edward Seaga Complex to battle leaders Tivoli Gardens.

Village United have scored two victories and played to one draw in the third round, to remain unbeaten. This feat is even more impressive due to the fact that they lost their last four second-round games and the third-round triumphs have come against the likes of the DPL's second-place team and second end-of-round winners, Portmore United, who they blanked 2-0 away from home. Their other triumph was a come-from-behind 3-2 win over fifth-place team and first end-of-round finalist Waterhouse.

Having already lost to their opponents in the opening round by a 4-0 scoreline, and playing to a one-all draw in the previous round, it will take a special effort from Village to keep the run going.

The Villagers are currently lying ninth in the standings on 28 points, eight away from the coveted sixth-place spot currently occupied by Sporting Central Academy.

Nedier Dos Santos, head coach of Village, is not concerned with a top-six placing just yet as he is focused on gathering points.

"I am not thinking about that as yet, I am thinking match by match; and every match we need to accumulate points," Dos Santos said.

"Every match we play to win, but now we are accumulating points, so I cannot say if we go there (Tivoli) and draw it is a bad result, but we are going there to win," he concluded.

Tivoli currently hold a three-point lead atop the standings, having amassed 47 points. They are coming off a priceless hard-fought 1-0 win over west Kingston rivals Boys' Town. Tivoli's latest victory was their third consecutive one, and Village United will be hard pressed to break that streak, as the hosts have only lost once at home in 12 matches.

Tivoli's attacking capabilty have been weakened as their leading scorer Devon Hodges (eight goals) is overseas on a season-long loan and midfielder Keammar Daley is out with a hamstring injury.

The team has already started feeling the effect of Hodges' absence, as they have had to rely on goals from defenders to eke out 1-0 wins in their last two outings. Tivoli head coach Alvin Shaw is, however, not perturbed by this fact.

"It is no concern that our forwards are not scoring and it is our defenders who are, because everyone on the field has a job to do and if everyone does their job the goals will come," Shaw pointed out.

The team will be strengthened by the return of Navion Boyd and Damion Gordon for what Shaw anticipates will be a tough game.

Sunday's games

Humble Lion vs Sporting Central Academy

Effortville Community Centre at 3:30 p.m.

Waterhouse vs Reno

Drewsland Stadium at 4 p.m.

Tivoli Gardens vs Village United

Edward Seaga Complex at 5 p.m.

Arnett Gardens vs Boys' Town

Anthony Spaulding Complex at 6 p.m.

Portmore United vs Harbour View

Ferdie Neita Park at 6:30 p.m.

St Georges vs Benfica

Lynch Park at 6:30 p.m.