Tough assignment for FC Reno
FROME, Westmoreland
The badly slumping FC Reno will have a hard time today if they are to repeat their first-round win over Red Stripe Premier League leaders Portmore United when they meet at Frome this afternoon, starting at 3:00 pm.
FC Reno had blanked Portmore United 3-0 in their first-round meeting, also at Frome, but the odds are against them today, with the two teams going in opposite directions.
The hosts are winless in their last seven games, losing their last three in a row. However, while Portmore United are on a tear, winning their last six games, scoring 20 of their 39 goals in the process.
Also today, the other two western-based teams, Montego Bay United and Sandals South Coast will play away from home.
MBU, who are in eighth place on 20 points, are coming off a loss to Cavalier SC at home, and they will face a (UWI) FC team that have lost their last three games and have slipped to fifth place on the points table.
UWI had beaten MBU for the first time ever in the first round, and the former champions will be seeking revenge.
Eleventh-placed Sandals South Coast, who are just three points from safety, are however coming off a rare win after edging Humble Lion at Frome last week, and their confidence will be high when they take on Cavalier SC.
Sandals SC had held Cavalier 1-1 at Frome in their first meeting and, after picking up four points in their last two games, the promoted Sandals SC will hope for at least a point.
Also come Sunday, FC Reno will be at home to UWI FC, while Sandals SC and MBU will meet at St Elizabeth Technical High.
Today, however, FC Reno will be hoping to reverse recent trends and start 2018 off with a win as they seek to rediscover their early-season form.
Craig Foster, who has scored 10 of FC Reno’s 16 goals this season, has left for Humble Lion. With his departure, Fancy-Hue Stewart, who played schoolboy football last season, is the top scorer with three goals and will take on the mantle of the man who will lead the former champions against a tough Portmore United defence that has conceded just nine, the best in the competition.