Faukland FC, Wadadah FC to battle for sole leadership in Western Confed
MONTEGO BAY, St James —Sole leadership of the Jamaica Football Federation Western Confederation Charley’s JB Rum Super League will be up for grabs on Saturday when joint leaders Faulkland FC and defending champions Wadadah FC meet in a third round game at the UDC field, starting at 3:30pm.
It will be the second meeting between the two powerhouse teams in three weeks after Wadadah FC edged Faulkland FC 1-0 in the mid-season final to extend their unbeaten run over them to five games.
Faulkland FC leads on goal-difference with both teams locked on 27 points, seven more than Falmouth United and Sandals South Coast.
Also Saturday, Lucea United and Grand Palladium are to meet in Lucea, while three more games will be played on Sunday — Falmouth United host Somerton FC, who could be relegated at the end of the season if they lose; Hopewell United and Harmony FC meet at Orchard Sports Complex, while relegation-threatened teams Delveland PYC and former champions Granville United play at Delveland.
On Tuesday, Reggae Youths and Sandals South Coast are to play at the UDC field in Montego Bay.
Faulkland FC and Wadadah FC are coming off contrasting wins last weekend, as the former scored three times in a 20-minute period to see off Reggae Youths 3-0 at the UDC field, while the champions battled to a 1-0 win at Granville United.
Not that their recent results will mean anything when these two teams meet and with the lead at stake, no quarter will be given and none will be asked.
Wadadah FC will welcome back Tereto Gregory who missed the win over Granville United after he was sent off in the mid-season final against Faulkland, and he should bolster their defence.
After scoring in the mid-season final, Kemiro James drew a blank against Granville United despite several good chances, but he is expected to come ready to lead the line for Wadadah FC along with Matthew Thorpe and Denyu Ricketts.
Lodrick Haughton, Faulkland FC’s most prolific scorer this season, missed the game mid-season final, but he should return for the game on Saturday, and along with Ewan Barton and Shanoy Anderson they should keep the Wadadah FC defence busy all afternoon.
On paper, Grand Palladium, in mid-tables on 18 points, start favourites to beat Lucea United who are on 10 points and ninth position, and in relegation danger.
Falmouth United must rebound from their stinging loss to Harmony FC last weekend and score a big win over Somerton FC who have conceded a league leading 28 goals in their 11 games played so far.
Falmouth United are chasing a semi-final place and must stay in touch with the leaders and away from the chasing pack that includes Hopewell United and Harmony FC who are expected to leave no stone unturned in their quest for three points.
Hopewell United are on 18 points and have a game in hand against Lucea United, a point behind Harmony FC who are coming off a big win over Falmouth United, and will have their eyes set on back- to-back qualification to the semi-finals.
Granville United are in an unfamiliar position, playing to save their place in the Super League. They have not won in their last six games.