Out front Faulkland FC, Falmouth United seek to maintain lead in JFF Western Confed
LUCEA, Hanover — Leaders Faulkland FC and Falmouth United will seek to end the first-round of the Jamaica Football Federation Western Confederation Charley’s JB Rum Super League on top when the competition resumes on Saturday, following a two-week break.
Faulkland FC, last season’s beaten finalists, lead Zone 1 with 10 points, the same held by promoted Falmouth United in Zone 2, and both are hoping to extend their unbeaten runs to close off the first-round.
In the lone game set for Saturday Faulkland FC plays Lucea FC at Watson Taylor Park, and day later, Falmouth United will play their first official game in Montego Bay, against Reggae Youths at the UDC field, both games set to start at 3:00 pm.
On Sunday, defending champions Wadadah FC goes to Orchard Sports Complex to face Hopewell United; Harmony FC hosts struggling Sandals South Coast at Bounty Hall; Granville United will seek to rebound against Somerton FC at home, while Grand Palladium will take on Delveland PYC at Rusea’s High School in Lucea.
Faulkland FC are coming off a 2-0 win over Granville United, their third straight win, and should be high on confidence when they take on fourth- placed Lucea FC, who have scored just three times in their four games.
Lodrick Haughton has scored in all four games for Faulkland FC, so far, and is expected to lead the attack along with Jelani Nicholson.
Harmony FC are in second place in Zone 1, two points behind Faulkland FC, and are also unbeaten but have scored 11 goals, the most scored in competition so far.
On Sunday they face a Sandals South Coast team that are reeling from three straight losses and have scored just one goal in that period.
Dean-Lloyd Reid leads the Harmony FC team with three goals, while three players have scored two.
Despite winning their first game since returning from the Red Stripe Premier League after one season, Sandals South Coast have struggled and are in fifth place in the zone, second from bottom.
Falmouth United are off to a good start since earning promotion to the Super League and are a point above defending champions Wadadah FC after ending their three-game winning start in mid-December.
With the exception of their 0-0 draw at home against Hopewell United, Falmouth United have dominated, but their eight goals so far have been scored by eight different players.
Reggae Youths who were semi-finalists last season, and back-to-back mid-season finalists, have made a dreadful start, losing all three games played.
Granville United have hit a skid after winning their first two games for the first time ever, drawing 2-2 against Harmony FC before their loss to Faulkland FC, and should be without Ewan Barton today, after the mid-fielder was sent off against Faulkland FC.
Despite this, Granville United should rebound against a Somerton FC team that is still trying to acclimatise to the pace of the Super League in their first time qualifying.
Somerton FC lost all four games played scoring just two goals and Granville United are expected to take all three points.
The game between champions Wadadah FC, in second place in Zone 2 and third-placed Hopewell United, separated by two points, could be the most competitive of the round.
Hopewell United have given up a single goal in their four games, and playing at home should make them confidence of pulling off an upset win.
Wadadah FC will still be smarting from their loss at Falmouth that spoiled their perfect start, and could come back with a vengeance as they seek to keep pace with Falmouth United.
Kemario James was kept off the scoresheets for the first time in their game against Falmouth, and he will be expected to lead the team in their quest for goals on Sunday.