by Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

AFTER a nail-biting end to the Premier League last Sunday, resulting in the relegation of August Town and Seba United, promotion playoffs start tomorrow with four confederation Super League winners aiming at two spots for the new season, which gets underway late August.

St Thomas' York United host St. Catherine's Rivoli United with hopes of qualifying consecutive eastern teams to the Premiership following St Georges' tightrope act, which earned them a second season in top-flight football last week.

Rivoli, who last played in the Premier League two seasons ago, topped the competitive South-Central Confederation and are stocked with returning veterans.

The afternoon's other match pits Kingston and St Andrew's Meadhaven, hunting their first Premier League berth, against St. James' Wadadah, who were demoted from the Premier League last season.

York's coach, Patrick Barclay, yesterday said his team is wary of Rivoli's experienced players but certainly not afraid to take them on at York Oval.

"The fact that they have Premier League experience, I'll be mindful and approach them as a Premier League tea," said Barclay.

"Nevertheless, I will approach the game in a positive way with hopes and intentions to win," he added.

York defeated Bath 5-4 on penalties to win the Eastern Confed final after both teams played two legs, 240 minutes, without scoring a goal.

The St Thomas men are virtually unknowns with the exception of their striker, Kavin Bascombe, a 19-year-old Seaforth High student and national Under-20 invitee.

However, Barclay pointed to Michael Clarke as a main midfielder and striker Jermaine Miller as players to note.

On the contrary, Rivoli's line-up appears to be a Premier League roster from two seasons ago with Omar Parker, Derrick and Barrington Planter as well as striker Patrick Beech.

The quartet returned to Rivoli during January's transfer window to help their playoff push. The experienced players join the likes of striker Devon Hodges, who was also a regular starter in the Premiership and stayed with the Spanish Town club throughout the Super League.

Rivoli beat Humble Lions 4-1 in the second leg of the South Central final after losing 2-0 at the York Town Community Centre in Clarendon. Hodges, Dwayne Hunter, David Lewis and Derrick Planter were on target in that match.

Runaway Kingston Super League winners, Meadhaven, await Wadadah at Constant Spring with hopes pinned on former Jamaica College and Jamaica Under-23 star, Keammar Daley, who, the club asked to be excused from a national camp to bolster their playoff chances.

Meanwhile, Wadadah, who beat Negril 1-0 in the Western Confed, still have a few players from last season's Premiership such as Rohan Reid and their experience will be crucial against the youthful but skilful Kingstonians.