Play-off clash! – Highgate, Seba seek DPL berth
SEBA United or Highgate could book their place in next season’s Digicel Premier League (DPL) when they meet in the feature match in the penultimate round of play-off series games at Gray’s Inn, in St Mary this afternoon, starting at 3:30.
In the other game, Cavalier entertain Rivoli at Tony Spaulding Complex also at 3:30.
Both teams are joint leaders with eight points, with Highgate ahead on goal difference. However, three points for either team today would ensure a spot in the nation’s top league for next season.
“This match is like a final to us,” stated Highgate’s coach Calvin Lewis.
“The team is in high spirits right now and we are looking forward to the encounter, because we know once we win this game we will be in the Premier League,” he said.
However, he is well aware that Seba holds a similar position and that the Montego Bay team will be just as charged for the occasion.
“If we defend like how we defended against them in the first match, as that was the best defending we have done since the play-offs, we will get it right,” Lewis added.
“The confidence in our players is very high right now, and they know that they are at home where they are comfortable and we are rested and we have a strong Highgate following behind us, backing us 100 per cent, so we are going out there to do this job,” he declared.
The home team will be missing captain and central defender Kwesi Campbell, but Lewis believes they have more than suitable replacements.
Seba, on the other hand, have shaken off a sluggish start and have hit full stride over their last two games.
New coach Omar Clarke has replaced striker Jeremy Bucknor with Torrey Samuels for the last two fixtures and the latter has justified his selection with a goal in the last match.
But the former Premier Leaguers will not want this opportunity to miss them as anything but a win will leave them still seeking qualification in the last round of matches.
Victory for Cavalier in their match would put them a mere point or two off the pace, going into Wednesday’s final round. They will go into today’s match knowing only three points will keep them in the hunt for a place in the top flight.
The Corporate Area side has taken no point in their last two matches, which has left them four points adrift of the joint leaders.
However, the KSAFA Super League champions believe they are still very much in the race and will be going all out to keep their hopes alive.
“One objective we have for this game and is to get three points; nothing else can help us, so we are going out to get three points,” said assistant coach Garfield Robinson.
“I wouldn’t say we have a slim chance because if Highgate don’t win, we just need to win our two games and we are through, so the ball is in our court,” he pointed out.
The hosts will be short on firepower with strikers Jermaine Grey and Fabian Nethersole out injured, plus, they are on a two-match losing run.
But Robinson remains upbeat about their chances and says they are still very focused on achieving their goal.
“We have home advantage and Rivoli may not be as motivated as Highgate or Seba, so we hope to capitalise on that fact,” he added.
Rivoli are all but out of contention for a place in next season’s DPL with just two points from their four games.
However, coach Calvert Fitzgerald says the integrity of the tournament is important and they hope to leave the competition with a win.
“We have some injured players, so we will be giving some of the young players a chance so we can have a look at them to see who can move up to the senior team.
“But we will be putting out the strongest possible team,” he said.