Duckie says Harbour View are a good team to beat

Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter

Waterhouse are off to a poor start in the Red Stripe Premier League, having registered a mere two wins from the opening eight rounds of matches, to leave them perched on ninth position in the 12-team standings.

As a result, they enter tomorrow's encounter against leaders Harbour View, at the Drewsland Stadium, as underdogs, with match time set for 6 p.m.

Donovan Duckie, Waterhouse's head coach, is not overly perturbed by the poor start and, in fact, believes Harbour View is an ideal team to beat.

Waterhouse had the better of the team's four league meetings last season, after winning the final clash 2-0 following three successive 1-1 draws.

"They are an ideal team to beat and one thing about the Waterhouse team is when they want to rise to the occasion they will, and the platform is perfect for them to do so," Duckie said.

"There is a rivalry that exists between both teams, so it is a game you don't have to motivate the players for; the fixture is enough motivation for them."

Waterhouse have garnered four points from its last two games after scoring a 3-2 win over Arnett Gardens, followed by a nil-all draw with Montego Bay United and despite seeming to have given up on the first end-of-round final, Duckie believes the league title is still there to be had.

"If you are thinking about the end-of-round final, you are going to press a panic button. If you are thinking about the overall league and the title it is early days," Duckie said.

Last season's Golden Boot winner, Jermaine Anderson, leads the team in scoring with five goals.

Harbour View has quietly gone about its business to be perched atop the 12-team standings of the Red Stripe Premier League, with eight rounds of games having been played.

Harbour View's head coach Vin Blaine made it clear, since the start of the season, that one of the team's objectives was to make the first end-of-round final. The Stars of the East are locked on 16 points with Sporting Central and Arnett Gardens, but hold a superior goal difference, having scored the most goals to date, 13, while conceding five. Jermaine Hue, who has been in scintillating form for both club and country, leads the team in scoring with four goals.

"It was one of our first objectives to try and make the first end-of-round final and we are on course for that now, and certainly want to continue our winning ways to ensure that we meet that objective," Harbour View assistant coach Harold Thomas said.

"We have secured back-to-back victories in the last couple of games and we are really looking to continue that trend."

He added: "Any Harbour View-Waterhouse game is a special game for spectators. It is a game that brings out the best in both teams."

JERMAINE 'TUFFY' ANDERSON

Waterhouse

Age: 33

Position: Striker

Past School:St James High

Notes: Last season's leading Red Stripe Premier League goal scorer with 14 goals

He went to the same school as national head coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore

Anderson also represented western clubs Granville, Seba, Wadadah and Village United

Jermaine hue

Harbour View

Age: 34

Position: Midfielder

Past School: Morant Bay High, St Thomas Technical

Notes:

Considered to be the best passer of the ball in Jamaican football

He has international experience with Mjallby in Sweden and Kansas City Wizards in MLS

His first stint with Harbour View ran from 1994 - 2005 before his retun in 2007

He has been at Harbour View for 16 years

A current national player with over 35 appearances for the Regae Boyz and has scored 12 goals