CATHERINE HALL, St James — August Town FC and Volvo FC are tied on top of the table with four points each in the Jamaica Football Federation Confederations Play-off for the National Premier League after yesterday’s second set of matches.

Eastern Confederation champions Volvo FC of St Ann took a big step towards getting back to the top tier league when they beat a lethargic Wadadah 2-0 at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, while August Town FC and Rivoli United played to a 0-0 draw in their game at the Spanish Town Prison Oval.

In Montego Bay, Jamal Stoddart scored in each half to lead Volvo FC to a win which coach David Pryce described as “absolutely critical” in front a large crowd of supporters that travelled from St Ann.

Pryce said: “Based on our projections we are where we wanted to be and regardless of whatever happens in the other game, we are in the top two right now.”

He said they had “dropped two points” at home against Rivoli and had to make it up on the road. “In this play-offs it does not matter where you play, it is who wants to win.”

Volvo have the slight edge over August Town on goal difference with Rivoli United on two points and Wadadah, losers of both games, yet to score a point and will be desperate come Sunday’s round of matches.

The game in Montego Bay started almost 45 minutes late due to heavy afternoon thundershowers and lightning and saw the first half played in a heavy drizzle.

Stoddart managed to outjump the Wadadah defence in the 16th minute to head the ball past goalkeeper Tristan Bernard from a corner kick, for the opening goal in a drab first half.

Wadadah came out the more purposeful team in the second half, and with Volvo playing behind the ball, the home team looked the more likely to score.

However, Andy Johnson, Demar Dohman and the overlapping Tyshan Hill were wasteful with the few chances they created and this led to a quick counter from Volvo that killed off the game as a contest.

Stoddart collected a ball on the left side of the field just inside the Wadadah half in the 64th minute and sprinted away from the opposing players, dribbled into the 18-yard box before beating the advancing goalkeeper with the outside of his right boot, directing the ball between the custodian and the inside of the left upright.