ALLIEN Whittaker, the Sporting Central Academy goalkeeper and captain, said his teammates are confident of halting Humble Lion’s charge to the semi-final — not out of envy, but out of a need to allay their own relegation fears.

The Clarendon teams clash tonight at 8:30 in a third-round Red Stripe Premier League fixture at the Effortville Community Centre, with the hosts on 45 points, standing on the doorstep of a play-offs spot and Sporting, 31, in desperate need of points to aid their survival cause.

But Whittaker believes being separated by 14 points in the league table does not mean Humble Lion will have an easy ride. In fact, the former national goalie believes Sporting will claim victory.

“I think this one will be a cracker,” said Whittaker, adding that good results against league leaders Arnett Gardens (2-0) and defending champions Montego Bay United (1-1) in recent games have boosted their confidence.

“We might not be winning a lot of games, but we are playing good football and the team is growing in confidence and, with new players coming in, we are starting to gel,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Tonight, Whittaker will be going up against three former Sporting Central teammates – Francois Swaby, Gregory Lewis and Kevon Reid – who made the switch from south-west Clarendon to the parish capital, May Pen, in January. The same holds true for at least two former Humble Lion players, Raylon Paisley and Kemar Reid, who went the opposite direction.

— OT