Hunt heightens for End-of-Round
MONTEGO Bay United (MBU) lead seven teams in the hunt for two spots in the Red Stripe Premier League’s second End-of-Round Final as action intensifies with two set of games remaining in the round.
MBU (18), Cavalier (17), Waterhouse (16), Arnett Gardens (15) with Harbour View (14), Portmore United (14) and Highgate (14) are all in with a mathematical chance of reaching the final.
St James standard-bearers MBU, third overall on 34 points, travel to an Arnett Gardens outfit in fourth with 32 and looking to leapfrog them in both standings.
In their first meeting MBU won, 1-0, and based on their seven-match unbeaten run, will provide the home team Arnett with a stern test.
MBU will be looking to Lesly St Fleur, former Arnett striker Omar Gordon, Leon Irving, Fabian McCarthy, Brian Brown, Allan Ottey and Kemiro James.
Arnett should give a debut to National Under-20 captain and centre-half, Shawn Lawes, who has just recovered from a toe injury since signing in the summer.
He is expected to partner new signings Desmond Breakenridge and Anthowe Dawkins in a new-look Arnett backline.
The talented Lamar Nelson, who missed last week’s match, along with Kirk Ramsey, Marcelino Blackburn, Kamal Malcolm, Jason Moore and Vishunel Harris, are expected to figure prominently.
With Cavalier not playing until tomorrow against Humble Lion, Waterhouse could move into second spot for the round when they host inconsistent Tivoli Gardens at Drewsland.
Waterhouse are coming off a 0-0 draw with Harbour View and are favoured to get the better of a Tivoli team that crashed 0-3 to 10-men Cavalier.
Overall leaders Harbour View, with 39, have only 14 points in the second round, but have a slim chance of making the final and must beat Sporting Central Academy at Brancourt.
Both Portmore United and Highgate United are on 14 second-round points and play each other at Ferdie Neita Park in the late kick-off at 7:00 pm.
Meanwhile, first End-of-Round champions Boys’ Town, with only eight second-round points, host cellar team Savannah at Collie Smith Drive.
Boys’ Town have lost five of their last nine matches while the sinking Savannah have lost 15 of their last 17 matches, but could today be the day when they re-ignite their season with a massive upset of the fancied Boys’ Town.
