CLARENDON, Jamaica — Merron Gordon, the newly promoted Sporting Central Academy head coach, said the club will be targeting nothing less than a top-four finish in this season’s Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL).

Despite winning many admirers, with their attractive brand of touch football, Sporting are yet to demonstrate that they are title contenders — more often than not struggling to stave-off relegation from the 12-team league.

But Gordon, who was put in charge of the senior team after impressing with the Under-21s last season, believes there is no reason why the club should not be challenging for silverware.

“It is now seven years since we have been in the league,” he said, “but every season we have been fighting relegation, which is funny because we have a quality team.

“This season,” he added, “it is a new format, and I am a new coach, so we are aiming for the top. If not, I want us to at least be in the semi-finals.”

Today, the south-west Clarendon outfit will begin their campaign against defending champions Harbour View at their new Juici Patties Park home ground in Clarendon Park.

Gordon is hoping the move will also signal a change in fortune on the field.

He said: “The field is a bit smaller than we are used to — in time we will adjust to it — but this is a plus for the club, because it is a more family-oriented environment.

“On Sunday, we are aiming for three points. Being the defending champions I think they are the ideal team to start with. Playing against them can give us an indication of where we are.”

Sporting’s first competitive game at the venue ended in a 2-1 victory over Jamalco in the first-round of the Flow Champions Cup on Thursday.