DB Basovak FC could increase their chances of reaching the January 19 midseason final of the LIME St Catherine FC Major League with victory away to Portsmouth in round 10 today.

Wanderers FC will be looking to maintain their top-four position in a tricky home assignment against Spanish Town Police at Passagefort, while Black Lion FC will be seeking to move away from the drop zone when they entertain lowly Christian Pen at Irish Pen.

All matches begin at 3:00 pm.

No new faces have been recruited by Wanderers FC since the opening of the transfer window, but defenders Vernal Smart and Roshane Manning are back into the first team.

Marlon Johnson and Romaine Linton, both regular starters for Police, are no longer with the club. So too are wingback Neil McLeod and utility player Dean Herrara. But the lawmen have sought reinforcement with the addition of striker Joel Miller from De la Vega FC and Noel Johnson, who plays midfield.

Stanley Gardener, coach of Police, is bemoaning a lack of commitment from his players and is hoping that they can rekindle the form that took them to the final last season.

“If we apply ourselves the way we can then effectively we can win. There’s no team in the league that is way ahead of any team. I think we all are on par and the team that wants it most will win,” he told the Observer yesterday.

The fact that they are holding down fourth place in the league it is important that they consolidate or improve their position, reasoned Wanderers president Raam Narasingh.

“Police is a good side,” he said. “But all we just need to do is convert our chances when we get them and we should be okay.”

Conrad Wilson, a former youth player at Black Lion, has been resigned and is now at the club disclosed manager Ian Henry, while senior players Jason Taite and Seymour Lewis are back in the first team setup. Henry said the team has been training well over the holidays and is anticipating an improved showing, especially against a Christian Pen side that’s only won once all season.

Portsmouth, who share the relegation zone with Christian Pen, are very low on confidence since the club lost its standard bearer and long-time coach Michael Haye. Haye, who has been battling illness for some time, died approximately two months ago and it has been very difficult ever since, says coach Lloyd Thomas.

“He (Michael Haye) is a father for most of us, including myself. So motivating them is a hard task. But we need to find some inspiration and we need to go all out and win all our remaining games to stay in the league,” said Thomas.

DB Basovak are busy in the market but still haven’t found the kind of player they believe will improve their performance and challenge for the title. A win at Portsmouth will see them joining Rodwood, who are idle this round and Frazsier’s Whip atop the standing. And it would set up a tantalising clash in the final set of games next weekend, as they will host Rodwood, with the winner of that match assured of a spot in the midseason final.