Super League race heats up
published: Saturday | April 8, 2006

Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

WITH FOUR rounds to go, only five points separate the top four teams as round 19 of the Jamaica National/Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Super League continues today with matches set to start at 3:30 p.m. The battle for top spot has been narrowed down to four teams in Meadhaven, August Town, Santos and Police National.

Leaders Meadhaven, fresh from a crucial 2-1 win over Police National last week, are on 35 points, just one ahead of August Town on 34 with both Santos and Police National on 30 points each.

The David Hunt-coached Meadhaven travel to ninth placed Greenwich Town hoping to secure their 11th win of the season and extend their lead.

CLOSE WIN

The last encounter between both teams ended in a close 1-0 win for Meadhaven and a repeat performance is not beyond the league leaders. Second-placed August Town should also keep up their winning run with an away victory over 10th placed Rae Town.

The Christopher Bender-coached August Town might be the only realistic challengers to Meadhaven as the third and fourth-placed teams have a five-point gap to make up.

Last week they brushed aside the dangerous Maverley-Hughen-den 2-0 and although their last encounter against Rae Town ended 0-0, today's game should be a different proposition.

Third-placed Santos on 30 points must win today to keep their slim chance of overhauling both leaders to clinch the title.

They currently trail Meadhaven by five points but will be hoping for a slip-up to close the gap and Barbican could be in for a rigid day. The last time both teams met, it ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Fourth-placed Police National on 30 points face another stern test when they host fifth-placed Maverley/Hughenden on 26 points. Their first encounter finished 1-1 and the lawmen will want to improve on that performance with a win to stay alive in the championship race.

Meanwhile, the relegation battle is equally interesting with any five teams from Mountain View, Barbican, Rae Town, Greenwich Town and Bull Bay all in danger of joining Shortwood in the Major League.

Bull Bay, lying second to last on 19 points, should secure three valuable points with a win over the already relegated Shortwood United on four points.

A win for Bull Bay could catapult them at least two positions up the table as the other relegation battlers all play teams vying for championship honours.

LEAGUES

SUPER

Santos vs Barbican at Bell Chung Oval

JDF vs Mountain View at Up Park Camp

Bull Bay vs Shortwood at Bull Pen

Police National vs Maverley/Hughenden at Duhaney Park

Greenwich Town vs Meadhaven at Tinson Pen

Rae Town vs August Town at Breezy Castle

MAJOR

Real Mona vs Olympic Gardens at Buttercup Park

Whitfield Town vs Cavalier at STATHS

Rockfort vs Brown's Town at Cement Oval

Central Kingston vs Cooreville Gardens at Winchester Park

Elleston Flats vs Pembroke Hall at UWI Bowl, Field #2

All games start at 3:30 p.m.