RSPL Best and Worst (Week 24)

BEST

Waterhouse

Waterhouse managed to shake off their slump and have now roared into command at the top of the Red Stripe Premier League table. After being winless in four games, the Marcel Gayle-coached team has now won back-to-back games with their latest win coming against play-off contenders Dunbeholden last Friday. They will have the task of juggling league play with regional duties are they seek to capture the Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club championship after drawing with Dominican Republic outfit Cibao FC. The extra responsibilities mean that Waterhouse will not play a league game until February 12. Gayle hopes that his team will be able to come from the tournament victorious and unscathed as the business end of the season continues.

Portmore United

Portmore's poor form at the beginning of the season seems like a distant memory now. Head coach Ricardo Gardner saw his side assert their authority over a hapless Vere United, drubbing them 5-0 on Sunday at the Spanish Town Prison Oval. They have scored nine goals in three games and, coincidentally the result extended their win streak to three games. They are now in third place with 39 points, two points closer to second place and an automatic play-off bye. Whatever comes from yesterday's result in the final St Catherine derby of the season may play a part into determining the defending champions' path towards back-to-back titles.

Humble Lion

While the game between Mount Pleasant and Humble Lion lacked quality, the Andrew Price-coached Humble Lion got the result they craved after they were beaten at Drax Hall earlier in the season on November 17. Rohan Richards' strike 10 minutes from the end was enough for the Clarendon-based outfit to secure all three points and to put them tied on 39 points with Portmore United. The back-to-back wins will do wonders for Humble Lion, who are very much in the running to get an automatic play-off bye.

WORST

Dunbeholden

Dunbeholden's 3-1 defeat at the hands of Waterhouse on Friday makes things uncomfortable for the St Catherine-based team down the stretch. Tivoli Gardens and Cavalier are within striking distance of making an entrance in the top six and they have to keep sixth-place Arnett Gardens at bay, hoping that they don't overtake them in the standing. Yesterday's crucial derby game against their Portmore United will be an indicator as to whether Michael Cohen's charges can hold their nerve where it matters most.

Vere United

The writing may already be on the wall for Vere United. Having been demolished 5-0 by Portmore United on Sunday, it may already be too late for Vere to mount any attempt of a great escape. They are at the bottom of the table with 16 points and nine points adrift from safety. Their match against Molynes United yesterday will be either a glimmer of hope or the final nail in their top-flight coffin.

Mount Pleasant FC

Mount Pleasant had a possible positive result snatched from them in the latter stages of their game against Humble Lion, and with the 1-0 defeat at Drax Hall on Monday night. It is the wrong time for Paul Tegat's side to be dropping points as both Portmore United and Humble Lion are within range of taking the final automatic play-off spot from them, with the gap between the teams cut down to two points. There is no margin for error if Mount Pleasant want an easier path to the championship. It means that they need to get wins on the board, and quickly.