MONTEGO BAY, St James — Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis will start his coaching stint at Montego Bay United (MBU) this afternoon in a St James Football Association Captain’s Bakery and Grill Knockout semi-final game against Senior League team Melbourne FC at Albion, starting at 3:00pm.

Davis, who took over the team on Tuesday following the departure of Brazilian Leonardo Neiva last weekend, will have a chance to get a first-hand view of his team before the start of the third round of the Red Stripe Premier League on Sunday.

The winner of today’s game will meet the winners of the other semi-finals between Faulkland FC and Heights FC in the final set for February 7 for a place in the Jamaica Football Federation’s all-island Knockout competition.

Montego Bay United have an automatic spot in the all-island competition, however, and the next best team in the competition will accompany them.

A release from the club’s management on Tuesday described Davis’s appointment as coming full circle from being a player, then a coach at Seba United, the club that became Montego Bay United.

“We believe Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis is the best person now, as we wish to win the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) Championship & Title(s), and his coaching style plus his game spirit will make things happen and will encourage our players to perform at their best,” said the release.

It added that Davis’s appointment was one the fans had been anticipating.

“We know that people have been wishing for his return and so we know that the support he’ll have will bring loads of energy, as they too wish Tegat well.”

Montego Bay United will be seeking to advance to the finals of the Knockout for the third time in the last four seasons, and will also be seeking their second title.

While Davis is not expected to name his best team for the game against the Senior League team, they will no doubt be aware of the threat that Melbourne FC could present.

Melbourne FC are unbeaten all season, winning both games played in the Senior League including Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Seba FC and three games in the knockout competition.

Androcle Poyser, Kamal Smith and Davion Brown are expected to lead the Melbourne FC attack against the best defence in the Premier League.

Davis could opt to play his best team, but it is expected he could send out the likes of Yohann Weatherly, Corey Hylton, Kashief Brown and Nicodie Haughton to get the goals for Montego Bay United.