Do or die for Reno
IF Reno FC are to avoid relegation back to the Western Confederation Super League next season, they must beat defending champions and semifinalists Montego Bay United at Frome on Sunday, when the preliminary rounds of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) come to an end. Reno FC, who were promoted to the RSPL last season along with Barbican FC, are hoping to avoid the same fate as Barbican, whose relegation was confirmed two rounds earlier.
On Sunday, while Montego Bay United can afford to take their foot off the gas pedal, having more or less sewn up third place, Reno must beat the champions for the first time this season.
The team had battled out a 1-1 draw in the first meeting of the season before Montego Bay United won the secondround game 3-2 at Frome. Reno are on 32 points in 11th place and must win and hope 10th-placed Sporting Central Academy on 34 points lose away from home at Tivoli Gardens. Montego Bay United, meanwhile, confirmed their place in the top four after coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Humble Lion at Wespow Park on Sunday, and are on 53 points.
Francois Swaby gave Humble Lion a 2-0 first-half lead, scoring in the 27th and 29th minutes, but the home team clawed their way back with goals from Ladale Richie in the 41st minute and Lesley St Fleur in the 48th minute. Reno FC missed a great opportunity to move closer to safety when they played out a 4-4 draw with Barbican, also on Sunday, in a game that saw each team scoring as time ran out.
Linval Wilson gave Reno the lead in the ninth minute, but Barbican took a 2-1 lead with goals from Samuel Halliman, who got the first of a double in the 21st minute, and Shaquille Lewis in the 41st minute gave them the lead at the break.
Renorio Downswell pulled Reno FC back level early in the second half, in the 48th minute. Halliman completed his double in the 62nd minute before Craig Foster scored for Reno FC in the 85th minute, his 19th of the season. Bebeto McDonald then gave Barbican a 4-3 lead in the 90th minute, but Reno had one last throw of the dice when Codean Smikle scored three minutes into stoppage time.
