THE Flow Champions Cup Knock-out football competition enters Round Two this week with today’s highlight being the encounter between top-tier newcomers Barbican FC and former Premier League winners Portmore United at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies.

Along with the embedded desperation usually associated with the do-or-die nature of KO football, added intrigue comes against the backdrop that the teams experienced opposite fortunes at the end of last season.

Barbican, who advanced to the second round of the Cup KO with a 3-2 extra-time victory over Cavalier SC after the teams were locked at 2-2 at the end of regulation time, are first-time entrants to the Premier League this campaign.

Portmore, who nudged into the second round with a 5-2 penalty shoot-out win over Old Harbour Bay United after the pair of St Catherine-based clubs ended normal time tied at 2-2, were stunningly relegated from top-flight football last season.

Also today, Granville FC welcome Sporting Central Academy to the Granville Community Centre, and Seaforth SC host Highgate United at the Seaforth Sports Complex.

Kick-off in all three matches is scheduled for 3:00 pm.

Meanwhile, tomorrow, the biggest focus is likely to be directed westward where Premier League champions Montego Bay United take aim at Flow Cup KO title-holders Waterhouse FC at the WesPow Park in St James, starting at 3:00 pm.

Though Montego Bay United humbled Waterhouse 5-2 to take the 2013-14 Premier League top award, the latter heads into tomorrow’s clash with the wind behind their sails.

The St Andrew-based club is the in-form team at the moment and only last month inflicted a resounding 3-0 defeat on an uninspired-looking Montego Bay.

In another eye-catcher tomorrow, old Trench Town rivals Arnett Gardens FC and Boys’ Town FC are set to battle in a 6:00 pm kick-off.

In a pair of games to begin at 3:00 pm, Reno FC host Rivoli United at the Frome Sports Complex, and Black Star FC welcome big-timers Tivoli Gardens FC to the New Town facility.

At 4:00 pm, Humble Lion FC entertain Harbour View FC at the Effortville Community Centre.

The Flow Champions Cup features the 12 Premier League teams in addition to the 14 parish or confederation winners.

The top six Premier League teams at the end of the 2013 calendar year received byes to Round Two. They are Waterhouse, Arnett Gardens, Harbour View, Humble Lion, Rivoli United and Montego Bay United.

Flow Cup games today

3:00 pm — Barbican vs Portmore United @ UWI Bowl

3:00 pm — Granville vs Sporting Central @ Granville Community Centre

3:00 pm — Seaforth vs Highgate United @ Seaforth Sports Complex

Flow Cup games tomorrow

3:00 pm — Montego Bay vs Waterhouse @ WesPow Park

3:00 pm — Black Star vs Tivoli Gardens @ New Town

3:00 pm — Reno vs Rivoli United @ Frome Complex

4:00 pm — Humble Lion vs Harbour View @ Effortville Community Centre

6:00 pm — Arnett Gardens vs Boys’ Town @ Anthony Spaulding Complex