KINGSTON, Jamaica — Cavalier’s head coach Everdean Scarlett and his Arnett Gardens counterpart Garnet Lawrence are oozing with confidence as they prepare to do battle in the first leg semi-final of the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) at the Constant Spring field in St Andrew on Saturday, starting at 6:30 pm.

Both teams have battled to identical 2-2 draws twice in the regular season and are similar in terms of statistics, losing two times this season. Cavalier have scored 93 goals with 20 against, while Arnett banged in 95 with 16 against.

The black and white-clad Cavalier finished second in the standings on 50 points, with Arnett third on 48 points, setting the stage for two epic semi-final legs.

Cavalier’s head coach Everdean Scarlett expects another gruelling encounter.

“It’s a semi-final and both teams want to get into the finals. It should be a tough battle as both teams played to a 2-2 draw in both games in the regular round. We took the lead on both occasions, but let them back in the game because of poor concentration,” Scarlett told Observer Online.

He continued: “This time around I’m hoping that my team can stay focused over both legs and get the desired result to get us into the final. I know that the Arnett Gardens team has found some form and has been unbeaten for a while now, so they have that high going for them into the semifinals.

“But we have to just stay focused and try to disrupt whatever momentum they have going for them,” said Scarlett.

Shanel Spence, with over 30 goals, will lead the Cavalier charge and she will be ably supported by Deshanna Cole, Kersha Thomas, Shadie Shirley and Tatyana Polack.

Meanwhile, Arnett Gardens coach Garnet Lawrence noted that Cavalier are a very good bunch and cannot be taken lightly.

“We are very confident. We are optimistic. We have been to the finals last year, but we want to replicate that again and go even further. But it’s gonna be difficult. There’s four good teams that are in the semifinal right now,” said Lawrence.

“And as much as on paper, people are looking at us as who is gonna got o the final… it all comes down to the game itself,” he continued. “So, we have to try and see how best we can get a grasp on this round and see if we can get something convincing out of it and look to the second round of the playoff.”

Lawrence added: “It’s going to be rough. The two legs are going to be very tough. It’s not going to be just a one-leg situation.”

Arnett Gardens have the in-form striker Shakiri Douglas, who scored six times last week and took her tally to 37 goals for the season. Douglas, along with Tuanashae Hamilton with 11 goals, and Briana Cosby, are expected to play a major role in Arnett’s push for victory.