MONTEGO BAY, St James – Runaway leaders Reggae Youths could today become the first team to secure a semi-final place in the St James Football Association Sandals Resorts International Major League when they take on contenders Flankers FC at Flanker in a return-round game, starting at 3:00pm.

Reggae Youths lead the points standings with 22 points from eight games played and are six points ahead of second-placed Lilliput Rovers who have played a game more, while Flankers FC are in third place on 14 points, also from eight games.

Granville United, who are tied with Cambridge FC on 13 points, could take a big step towards a semi-final place when they take on long shots Heights FC at UDC field, also today.

On Friday, Montego Bay Boys’ Club and Cambridge FC will face off, also at the UDC field.

The Loren Sailsman-coached Reggae Youths are the only team yet to taste defeat and after two games where they failed to sparkle, must be at their best today to hold off the hard-charging Flankers FC who are unbeaten in their last four games.

Flankers FC’s last loss was at the hands of Reggae Youths in the first round, and they will have revenge in mind, as well as a chance to take over second place with a win today.

Flankers FC were held 1-1 by Cambridge FC and with their home game against Granville United not played due to the field not being prepared to be decided on by the competitions committee, three points today would be big for them.

Reggae Youths had to come from behind twice to draw with Granville United in their opening game in the return round. They started slowly and wasted a lot of scoring chances before beating Montego Bay Boys’ Club 5-1 last week and will be on the hunt today for win number eight of the season.

Coach Sailsman had rested a number of his regular starters against Montego Bay Boys’ Club but is expected to return to full strength today and that should see Oshane Thompson, Shandane Blagrove, Chander-Paul Dehaney and Denardo Kerr included in the line-up.

At the UDC field, Granville United will hope to extend their five-game unbeaten run against Heights FC who must win if they are to keep their slim hopes of making it to the semi-finals alive.

Granville United had won their first-round game against Heights 1-0 and will start favourites to win again today against a team that have won just twice all season, beating Montego Bay Boys’ Club twice.

On Friday, Cambridge FC will hope to keep their semi-final hopes alive when they take on winless Montego Bay Boys’ Club who have lost all nine games played this season.

Cambridge United have picked up four points from their two games played since the start of the return round and will hope for three more against Boys’ Club who they had beaten 1-0 in the first round.