Firehouse hunt semi-final spot in St James FA Div One
MONTEGO BAY, St James — Firehouse SC could be the second team to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the St James Football Association’s Sandals Resorts International Division One competition today when they take on Violet Kickers in a third-round cross-zone game at the UDC field set to start at 3:00 pm.Firehouse SC, who will be seeking to rebound from Monday’s big 1-5 loss to Somerton FC — their first loss of the season — are in second place on 22 points, and a win would see them join Somerton in the top five.Also today, semi-final long shots Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College and relegation-threatened Norwood Strikers will meet at the grounds of the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in Granville, St James.Firehouse are four points behind leaders Somerton FC and well ahead of Violet Kickers, who secured their place in the league next year after a 4-1 win over Copperwood FC on Monday.Prior to letting in five goals on Monday, Fire House had allowed just six in their previous 10 games, the best defensive record in the competition up to that time.They will face a Violet Kickers team that has allowed 28 goals, but has shown big improvements over the last few games, scoring 12 goals in their last two games and conceding only four.Sam Sharpe TC are just above the relegation zone on 10 points, but have games in hand and could challenge for a semi-final place. However, they must win all their games and hope that at least three teams ahead of them falter.Norwood Strikers, who are on five points and in the second-to-last spot, are facing a third- straight relegation after they were demoted from the Western Confederation Super League and the St James Senior League in consecutive seasons.