Crunch time in RSPL promotion play-offs
Three teams will be engaged in a battle for the two available spots in next season’s Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) as they enter the ultimate round in the Magnum/Charley’s JB/JFF promotion play-off series tomorrow.
In the big match of the day, former Premier League club Barbican will need to avoid defeat against the hugely touted Mount Pleasant Football Academy at Barbican Complex in St Andrew, at 4 p.m.
Barbican are in the driver’s seat as they are three points ahead of Mount Pleasant FA. The Barbican team have nine points, the same as Dunbeholden, who have a better goal difference in the race for RSPL spots.
Mount Pleasant FA come next on eight points, while Wadadah are without a point, after five games apiece.
With that scenario, Mount Pleasant FA, who are financially backed by the ownership of Englishman Peter Gould, will be coming with all guns blazing for maximum points.
The Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis-coached Mount Pleasant will rely heavily on top striker Kessian Hall, who has netted 10 goals in five matches in the series. The lanky forward scored six times in his team’s massive 10-2 victory against Wadadah last Sunday.
Hall is expected to get support from captain Devon Hodges, full back Rupert Murray, central defender Liston James and midfielder Latroy Laing in their bid for a historic qualification to the nation’s topflight league.
Barbican are mindful that a draw will put them back among the big boys, so coach Wayne Campbell will focus on protecting home turf.
Their captain Ramone McGregor is expected to use his quality and experience to stave off Hall and the other Mount Pleasant attackers. McGregor should get help from goalkeeper Nicholas Campbell, Mario McDonald, Cornelius Simms and Jertmain Parris.
In the other match, Dunbeholden will play against Wadadah at Jarrett Park, also at 4 p.m. Dunbeholden are expected to get the better of a Wadadah team that conceded 19 times in five games. A draw would put the St Catherine-based Dunbeholden into the Premier League for the first time.