4 days ago
12
WITH THE results of an investigation into a series of games involving Mount Pleasant yet to be released, teams in the fight for relegation, as well as play-off spots in the Jamaica Premier League,have no choice but to treat today’s final round of games like a final.
In the relegation battle, four teams — Harbour View, Humble Lion, Chapelton Maroons, and Molynes United — have to do everything to ensure their safety.
One of those teams, Humble Lion, may already be relegated, if the investigation, being carried out by the Jamaica Football Federation’s Competitions’ Committee finds that games between Mount Pleasant and Molynes, and Mount Pleasant and Chapelton, should have their results affected.
Molynes are in 11th place on 35 points but could move to 38 if any rulings from the investigation go their way. That would take them out of relegation and leave Humble Lion, who are 13th (in the relegation zone) on 33 points, without the ability to catch them today.
Chapelton, who are 12th on 34 points, could benefit in the same way, leaving Humble Lion already relegated.
But Chapelton’s coach, Vassell Reynolds, isn’t waiting on the results of that investigation, saying his charges are raring to get a result that would keep them in the top flight next year.
Reynolds explained that their confidence comes from their recent performances, which includes a dramatic 2-2 draw with Tivoli Gardens last week.
“The mood is one of confidence and good spirit. Our confidence stems from the fact that, when we had gone down two goals to Tivoli with 15 minutes to play, we rallied and got two goals and a point that kept us in a position where things are in our hands,” he explained.
“Based on what I have seen from the players, I am very confident that we will get the desired results.”
Reynolds warned, however, that they will not be complacent as they take on Vere Phoenix, a club that has already been relegated. The game takes place at Wembley Centre of Excellence.
He believes Vere could prove a tricky opponent if they are left underestimated.
“My views about our opponents is, when you look at them play, at times they really don’t look like a team that has been relegated. I think they can play well enough to cause problems for any opponents,” he said.
“We’re not taking Vere lightly. We have to be mindful of that and know that we have to approach the game with a positive mind.”
Another coach confident ahead of the relegation fight is Molynes United’s Jermaine Thomas.
Molynes have a tougher assignment – an away match against Cavalier, but Thomas said he will not be focusing on past results as he prepares to take on the defending champions at Sabina Park.
“We have been playing well in our last few games and I think we played well against Mount Pleasant, even though we gave up two soft goals,” he said.
“There is a lot more at stake now, and the players are really fighting to avoid relegation, and I think that motivates them to perform at their optimal levels. I’m expecting them to go out there and perform, irrespective of what past results might indicate.”
Habour View, though still mathematically in the relegation scrap, are most likely to be able to survive a final-game loss, having amassed 36 points for 10th place.
While Humble Lion can get to 36 points, they would have to make up an 11-goal deficit in the goal difference column. Harbour View visit the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex where they take on Arnett Gardens.
There is also another team who will be giving this final game everything they have.
Racing United had thought their season was over, but there is also alleged to have been a breach of the rules in one of their games against Mount Pleasant, which could put them in play-off contention.
Racing have 51 points and lie eighth, four pints adrift of Tivoli Gardens, who hold the final play-off spot in sixth, and Waterhouse, who are just below them in seventh.
If Racing benefit from three points, and Tivoli and Waterhouse lose, a win today in their game against Pormore United at Ferdi Neita Park could be all-important.
Tivoli play Montego Bay United at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex and Waterhouse are at Drewsland for their fixture against Dunbeholden.
All games begin at 3:30 p.m.
TODAY’S GAMES
Vere vs Chapelton at Wembley Centre of Excellence
Tivoli vs MoBay at Edward Seaga Sports Complex
Portmore vs Racing at Ferdi Neita Park
Cavalier vs Molynes at Sabina Park
Arnett vs Harbour View at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex
Humble Lion vs Mount Pleasant at Effortville Community Centre
Waterhouse vs Dunbeholden at Drewsland
All games begin at
3:30 p.m.
English (US) ·