FLOW KO semis take spotlight
DEFENDING champions Boys’ Town seek their second consecutive berth in the Flow Champions Cup Knockout final against neighbours Arnett Gardens in the semi-final at the Tony Spaulding Complex this afternoon, starting at 5:30.
In another semi-final, Humble Lions and St Georges battle in the opening game of the double-header at 3:00.
However, all attention will be on second game where fierce Boys’ Town face Arnett in the ‘Collie Smith derby’.
As usual, the coaches are anticipating a tough match-up in their quest to reach the final, with the teams sharing a win and a draw in three Premier League meetings this season.
But while Boys’ Town sit comfortably in fourth spot, Arnett are just one point above the relegation zone, although Boys’ Town coach Andrew Price doesn’t think this has any major bearing on today’s match.
“As defending champions we have to go out and defend our title and we’re going out with a positive frame of mind to play some good football.
“… This Arnett team can rise to the occasion so we have to be on our guard to play concentrated football for 90 minutes,” he added.
After going seven games without a win, Price’s team edged August Town 1-0 in their last meeting to stay unbeaten in three games.
However, Arnett have not lost in six matches, winning three in the process. They seem to be improving under coach Wayne Fairclough and should provide a strong challenge for their rivals.
“Arnett Gardens versus Boys’ Town at Collie Smith Drive, I don’t think many people know it’s about bragging rights, so we want to give a good account of ourselves,” Fairclough told the Sunday Observer.
And he believe a place in the final could be just the medicine his
boys need to revive their fortunes for the season.
“Reaching the final would be just what the doctor ordered… but this is the only cup that we can win and we’ll go all out for it, hoping that we can make it to the final and bring the club success,” he reasoned.
Meanwhile, St Georges of Portland and Humble Lions of Clarendon will meet in an interesting curtain-raiser. Both are having an impressive season and a place in the final would climax a fine season for both.
However, the Lions could have the psychological advantage after beating the Georgians in their last meeting, after drawing twice before.
St Georges coach Braxton Hyre also believes their rivals are much stronger, as they proved in their last meeting between the teams. However, he remains confident his team has the capability to prevail.
“This is a semi-final so it’s either you win or go home, but we have seen where we can come out on top. We’re looking to go all the way because this is probably the last final we have for the season, and we’re coming for it,” he added.
Hyre believes his defence will again provide problems for the opposition and once they can find a goal or two, it should see them through.
Humble Lions may have scored the only win between the teams over three meetings, but coach Christopher Bender says the defensive qualities and organisation of St Georges could pose a problem for his team.
“I don’t think our win will have any reflection on this game, because it’s a knockout, a play to the finish,”
he noted
“But we’re looking to… continue our progress and hopefully make it to the final.. we want to come out and demonstrate that we want to win… by winning the semi-final first,” he added.
The Lions will be without top striker Omando McLeod and Kevin Mighty, out on suspension and injury, respectively, but Bender believes they have capable replacements to do the job.