FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Faulkland FC and Falmouth United will meet in one of the first-leg semi-finals of the Jamaica Football Federation National Tier Two competition on Sunday (July 17) at the Elleston-Wakeland Centre in Falmouth as the race for places in next season’s Jamaica Premier League intensifies by several notches.

Faulkland FC topped the points tables of the tier-two competition with 26 points from their 11 games while Falmouth United, who were unbeaten in their final six games, were fourth with 20 points, edging Tru Juice FC on goal-difference.

Chapelton Maroons, who were second on 23 points, and Treasure Beach FC, who had 22 points, will meet in the other semi-final tie with the winners on aggregate gaining promotion to the Premier League and will play-off in the final set for July 31.

The western teams played out a 1-1 draw in the opening round played in Falmouth and both semi-finals, this weekend and next Sunday at Wespow Park in Tucker, are expected to be well contested between the two teams.

Faulkland FC, who were knocked out of the last Premier League eliminations after using an ineligible player, got off to a flying start, winning their next six games after drawing with Falmouth United and never let go of the lead despite another draw and a loss, to Treasure Beach, after they had secured a semi-final spot.

O’Brien Robinson ended the regular season with 13 goals from all games, two more than Falmouth United’s Patrick Shecklude and Chapelton’s Kaheim Dixon.

After their sluggish start, losing three of their first five games and being stuck at the bottom of the points table, Falmouth United went on a tear scoring six times in each of their next three games to eventually edge the equally prolific Tru Juice at the line.

Faulkland FC will also welcome back starting goalkeeper Garreth Dennis who was sent off against Treasure Beach in the penultimate round of games. The return of Dennis should assist Faulkland to stop the Falmouth team that ended with 30 goals, 23 of which came in their last six games.

Faulkland FC is the only team to score more than Falmouth United with 32 but conceded eight of their 15 goals allowed in their last four outings.

Falmouth United, who had won five games in a row before coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw away to Portlanders FC on Sunday, just managed to keep off Tru Juice of St Catherine who were unbeaten in their last seven games and scored 19 goals in their last four outings with three goals separating the two teams at the end.

They came from two goals down against out of contention Portlanders FC while Tru Juice FC spanked Wadadah United 6-0.

Falmouth United trailed 0-2 after 24 minutes while True Juice were leading Wadadah 3-0 after 34 minutes and had the scores stayed like that, would have dropped out of contention.

Kemar Miller and Jahmanie Hamilton scored for the home team but Falmouth United rallied with goals from Desmond Moore in the 32nd minute and Dontae Green in the 59th to clinch a point and a place in the semis.

After losing to Treasure Beach at home, Faulkland FC scored a big morale boosting win when they clipped Chapelton at Wespow Park.

Robinson staked Faulkland FC to a 2-0 lead with his 12th and 13th goals, respectively, in the 24th and 32nd minutes before Kaheim Dixon pulled one back for Chapelton in the 34th minute with his 11th goal of the season.

Radcliff Dawkins restored Faulkland FC’s two goal lead in the 61st minute, but Jahvier Lynch scored a second for Maroons in the 66th minute.