COOPERS PEN, Trelawny — The race for places in the mid-season final of the Trelawny Football Association Monymusk Plantation Rum Major League is expected to heat up starting this weekend with five teams in contention for the two spots.

Harmony FC and Coopers Pen FC are tied for the lead in Zone One, both on 19 points, while Baca Star United lead Zone Two with 17 points, followed by Duanvale FC on 14 points and long shots Spicy Hill SC in third place on 12 points.

Today, three of the contenders will be in action. Coopers Pen FC face last-placed Invaders SC, Baca Star United are away to Daniel Town FC, and Duanvale FC take on Granville FC at Duanvale.

All three had won their first-round meetings and will be favoured to win again today and maintain their chances of qualifying for the mid-season final set for April 2.

Meanwhile, Spicy Hill SC’s chances suffered a blow on Thursday when they were edged 1-0 by Kinloss FC to avenge their first-round loss by the same score.

Ronique Haynes scored the winner for Kinloss FC in the 80th minute to jump to fourth place in Zone Two.

At Bunkers Hill, the home team gave up a first-half lead and had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Rio Bueno FC.

Tajae Moore scored in the 35th minute to give Bunkers Hill the lead, but Travis Hyatt equalised in the 49th minute for Rio Bueno FC.

Bunkers Hill’s Kizar Bulgin was shown a red card in time added on in the second half.

— Paul Reid