Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Harbour View's Marcelino Blackburn (right) and Portmore's Demar Stewart will be in action in today's Wray and Nephew National Premier League game at the Ferdie Neita Park. - FILE
TITLE-CHASING Harbour View travel to Portmore United today as they try to regain the lead in a rescheduled Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) encounter at 3:30 p.m.
Harbour View, on 58 points, trail Waterhouse by one point, and today's game could go a far way in deciding the championship.
Harbour View, who have blown a 13-point lead, still have their fate in their own hands and coach Donovan Hayles knows that.
"This is the game we call a make-up game in terms of points and we have the opportunity of going back into the lead by two points," said Hayles.
"While it is not crippling if we lose, it is an important game for us in our quest of becoming champions. Portmore are not an easy team as they are the defending champions," he said.
"But it is even more fitting if we can get maximum points from this game although it is not the ultimate game, but it is a step towards our objective of becoming champions this season."
In two previous NPL outings, both teams won away from home but Portmore recently knocked Harbour View out of the Red Stripe Champions Cup.
In September, Portmore edged Harbour View 1-0 at the Compound before Harbour View went to Ferdie Neita Park and clipped Portmore 1-0 in November.
Portmore might have blown their slim chance of lifting the title last week with a 0-0 draw at Constant Spring but pride alone will ensure that Harbour View will be fully tested.
"Our pride is at stake. We know that we gave Sunday's final away, but we had a good and long talk and we will have to bounce back and show our quality," said Portmore coach Paul Young.
"That's what champions are made of. They need the points, they are going for the title, but we need the points as well so it's going to be a dog fight," Young further stated.
Portmore will be without five squad players who are on loan to Joe Public of Trinidad and Tobago. They are Wolry Wolfe, Roen Nelson, Carlington Smith, Adrian Mitchell and goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett.
But Young insists he has adequate replacements and the team will be strong enough for Harbour View.
Top player Kevin Deerr, who injured his knee in Sunday's Champions Cup final against Tivoli, is listed as doubtful but could well play. Kemeel Wolfe, Omar Daley, Jason Morrison, Anthony Modeste and Anthony Bennett should provide the fire power for Portmore.
Harbour View have a number of niggling injuries and coach Hayles will be waiting until the 11th hour to choose his line-up.
Harbour View will depend on Fabian Taylor, Lovel Palmer, Donald Stewart, Desmond Breakenridge, Marcelino Black-burn and Richard Edwards in their quest for victory.
