❒ DPL's top teams battle for place in second end-of-round final

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

The race for a place in the Digicel Premier League (DPL) second end-of-round final has gone right down to the wire, as four teams, Harbour View, Boys' Town, Tivoli and outsiders Arnett Gardens all still have a shot. This, however, will be dependent on the results of key clashes tomorrow.

Out in front, Portmore United have 23 points for the round and have already secured a place in the final, but with every point crucial, tomorrow's matchup against Harbour View, who are third for the round with 17 points, will be more than about just playing the role of spoilers.

door painfully slammed

Favourites to secure a place in the last end-of-round final against the Stars of the East, Boys' Town had the door painfully slammed in their faces following a 2-1 loss at home to Tivoli Gardens. Currently second on 20 points, the Red Brigade now find themselves in almost the identical position again, facing third-place Tivoli (17), but this time at the Edward Seaga Stadium.

The west Kingston team could book their place in the final, but must beat Boys' Town and hope Harbour View are held to a draw by Portmore United. For Boys' Town, a draw will be good enough to put the team in their first end-of-round final since returning to the top flight four seasons ago.

"We always like to learn from our mistakes. It was Tivoli who beat us the last time we were in this position and we are looking forward to playing them again," said Boys' Town coach, Andrew Price.

positive results

"They are at home but we have got positive results against them there recently and we will be looking for another one, which will put us there," he added.

"It means a lot to us, not only in terms of getting there, but also in terms of keeping pace with the league leaders," he said.

Despite losing striker Denzil Watson on a transfer to Harbour View recently, Price is confident that Boys' Town still have plenty of firepower left. The team will, however, be without the services of Xavian Virgo, who will miss the game, out on a red card.

While admitting that a spot in another end-of-round final would be important, Straw also has his eyes firmly fixed on the league leaders and believes the game could even be a season-defining one.

"We are feeling confident heading into the match. It's always a tough game, but we are just looking to win the game. That is the bottom line," Straw told the Gleaner.

"Our primary incentive for winning this game is to keep pace with the leaders and in that respect, it could even be a season-defining game, as we are almost heading into the penultimate round," he said.

Also on 17 points, Arnett, though far-fetched, also have a shot at making the final, but would have to get many goals against Rivoli in their encounter at the Anthony Spaulding Complex. At the same time, the 'Junglists' must hope for a Boys' Town loss and a draw between Harbour View and Portmore.

Looking to keep their position in the league's top half, following a positive spell of resurgence, Waterhouse should fancy their chances against last-place Sporting Central at Drewsland. At Lynch Park, easterners St Georges will look to continue their charge towards breaking into the top four when they host Village United at Lynch Park.

Boys' Town's sharp shooter Daemion Benjamin.

sunday's dpl fixture

Arnett vs Rivoli at Anthony Spaulding Complex

Harbour View vs Portmore at Harbour View Mini-Stadium

Reno vs Meadhaven at Frome

St Georges vs Village United at Lynch Park

Tivoli vs Boys' Town at Edward Seaga Stadium

Waterhouse vs Sporting Central at Waterhouse Stadium