Pinnock, Lowe to meet in EFL Championship play-off

Reggae Boyz Ethan Pinnock and Jamal Lowe will have an opportunity to play for the final English Premier League (EPL) promotion place for next season after victories in their respective English Football League (EFL) Championship play-off on Saturday.

Pinnock, of Brentford FC, played all 90 minutes as they overcame a 1-0 deficit to Bournemouth AFC in the first leg, to win the second leg 3-1 and the tie 3-2 on aggregate to advance to their second consecutive Championship play-off final.

Reggae Boyz prospect Ivan Toney played a part in the victory, scoring the equaliser in the 16th minute from the penalty spot after Bournemouth's Arnaut Danjuma gave them the lead in the fifth minute on the day and a 2-0 aggregate lead. Bournemouth's task was made difficult when they were reduced to 10 men when Chris Mepham was sent off in the 28th minute. Brentford made the man advantage count in the 50th minute as Vitaly Janelt levelled the match and the tie, thanks to a long-range effort. Second-half substitute Marcus Forss scored the decisive goal seven minutes from time to win the game and the tie.

Lowe's Swansea City drew 1-1 with Barnsley in their second-leg encounter but won the tie 2-1 on aggregate. Matt Grimes gave the Swans the lead in the 39th minute, thanks to a brilliant effort. Barnsley's Cauley Woodrow equalised in the 71st minute, and despite Barnsley's pushing for the goal that could have forced extra time, Swansea held on to preserve the one-goal advantage they earned from last week's first-leg 1-0 win.

Brentford now have their second opportunity to win promotion to next season's EPL for the first time. At the same stage last year, they lost the final to Fulham. Swansea are hoping to end a three-year wait to return to the English top flight after being relegated in 2018. The winner of the play-off final will join Norwich City and Watford in next season's EPL. Watford, who return to the EPL after a season out, feature Andre Gray, another Reggae Boyz.

Pinnock and Lowe were among the England-born players who made their international debuts in March during the 4-1 defeat to the United States in Austria, with the latter scoring his first international goal in the effort. While Lowe does not feature in the recent national squad for the Japan and Serbia friendlies next month, Pinnock does earn another call-up for that particular international window. Toney, the Championship's leading goalscorer this season, has been on the radar of the Jamaica Football Federation for a possible international switch but has not yet stated his intention.

The Championship play-off final will kick off at Wembley stadium in London on Saturday at 9 a.m. Jamaica time.