Molynes United and Vere United are in pole position to gain Premier League promotion when they play Downs FC and Baptise Alliance, respectively, in the JFF Premier League Play-offs today, starting at 3:30 pm.

Molynes United of Kingston and St Andrew Football Federation (KSAFA) are on top of the seven-team play-offs with maximum 12 points ahead of Vere United from Clarendon on 10 points. Wadadah of St James and Baptiste Alliance of St Thomas are on seven points each.

Faulkland FC of St James are fifth on four points after losing three points in the boardroom, while Downs of Manchester and Lime Hall FC of St Ann are on a point each at the bottom of the table.

Molynes United will be looking to join the six other KSAFA teams in the Red Stripe Premier League and are heavily favoured to achieve that feat. They lost 1-3 to Faulkland on Wednesday but were later awarded the points as Faulkland used an ineligible player.

That fortuitous win has taken them to the cusp of qualification and they are expected to make it official when they host the hapless Downs at Constant Spring in a game they are expected to win, as they create club history in playing in the country’s top flight competition later this year.

Meanwhile, Vere United can also secure qualification with a win over Baptiste Alliance at York Sports Complex in St Thomas. Vere United, formerly Jamalco FC, last contested the play-offs in 2016. Vere United are a win away from promotion.

Since drawing their first encounter 0-0 with Wadadah, Vere have won three consecutive games by brushing aside Lime Hall, Faulkland and Down FC. A win for Baptiste Alliance would take them level with Vere, but the Clarendon outfit has a game against Molynes next Sunday, while Baptiste Alliance’s fixture would have been completed today.

Former Premier League champions Wadadah seem the team in position to topple either Molynes or Vere, as they should pick up three points from their fellow parish neighbours Faulkland whose chances of qualification are very slim.

— Howard Walker