THE teams to replace relegated Vere Phoenix United and Humble Lion in the Jamaica Premier League next season will be determined following the playing of the Jamaica Football Championship semi-final second legs this afternoon.

Falmouth United of Trelawny will take a slender 1-0 lead to face Spanish Town Police of St Catherine at Prison Oval, while Treasure Beach FC of St Elizabeth and Meadforest FC of Kingston and St Andrew will have it all to play for at Breds Sports Complex after ending goalless a week ago.

After a hectic season, which started in late January, four teams have been left standing, and two of them are 90 minutes away from playing in the island’s top club football competition.

The two winners on aggregate will qualify for the Jamaica Premier League, and will also meet in the Championship final. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, extra time and, if needed, penalty kicks will be used to break the tie.

Treasure Beach FC are seeking to return to the JPL at the first opportunity after they and Lime Hall FC were relegated last season.

Falmouth, bolstered by a number of players who represented St James-based Faulkland FC in the premier league two seasons ago, will hope they won’t pay for not making better use of their scoring opportunities last week at the Trelawny Multipurpose Stadium.

Former national junior representative Tyshan Hill’s first-half goal was the difference maker, ending Spanish Town Police’s unbeaten run at nine games.

“I don’t consider this lead safe, especially considering that we have to go to their home ground,” Dr Dean Weatherly, the Falmouth coach, had told the Jamaica Observer.

“We… created a lot of chances but could not finish — and we can’t tolerate that. We have to go into the next game with an attitude that we have to finish these chances we are creating.”

William Spencer, coach of the Spanish Town Police team, remained optimistic of securing a place in the final. “We are not out of this as yet; we just have to come and win that game at home.”

Treasure Beach survived against Meadforest FC at Constant Spring last week, despite playing a man short for most of the match after Romario Smith was sent off in the 43rd minute.

The St Elizabeth-based team will hope home team advantage will work for them as they seek to return to the top flight.

— Paul A Reid