KSAFA Super League champions Maverley Hughenden FC will start what they hope will be the last lap towards a return to Premier League football when they travel to St James to take on Western Confederation champions Granville United at the Granville Community Centre this afternoon as the JFF Charley’s JB Rum Premier League play-offs get underway.

The game is set to start at 3:30 pm.

Like the other two contenders in the four-team play-offs, Jamalco FC and Brazil FC, the sides are hoping to finish in the top two and replace the demoted pair of Cavalier SC and Rivoli United in next season’s Red Stripe Premier League.

The Granville Community Centre is expected to be buzzing with anticipation later this afternoon with the fans of both clubs full of hope that their team will get off to a winning start on what they hope will be a journey to glory.

Maverley Hughenden, who were relegated from the Premier League more than 15 years ago, are coming off back-to-back dramatic extra-time wins in the semi-final and final of the KSAFA competition. Granville United were taken to penalty kicks to beat Sandals Whitehouse in the Western Confederation Super League final.

Granville’s coach Tracey Reid said her team is very confident of securing a spot in the Premier League next season.

“The last time we came to the play-offs we were inexperienced but we have been there and know what is expected and are up to the task,” said Reid at the press launch last Tuesday.

The Maverley Hughenden team is coached by Lijyasu Simms, with former national midfielder Hugh Blair as his assistant. Club President Junior Dennis has no doubt his team will make it to the Premier League.

“We want to get back in the Premier League 100 per cent. Maverley football club has been here for years waiting and wanting and now it’s our time to make it a reality,” said Dennis.

Maverley is led by a number of veteran players such as Roberto Fletcher, Kasai Hinds and Locksley Thompson, but will face a Granville United team that has been the class of the Western Confederation Super League this season.

After two previous trips to the Premier League play-offs and nothing to show for it, Granville United will hope it’s third time lucky for them as they seek to become the latest team from St James to play at the Premier League level.

They were the best defensive team in the league, conceding nine goals in 16 games. Four of those goals came against Sandals Whitehouse, who they later beat in the final.

While Oneil Pringle led the Granville United team with seven goals from midfield, 10 different players managed to get on the score sheet in the Western Confederation Super League.

— Paul Reid