WESTERN BUREAU:

WITH VIOLET Tourers and Falmouth locked atop the Zone B standings after last weekend's penultimate round of matches, it will take this weekend's top-of-the-table clash to decide who will top the group going into the semi-finals of the Spoon's Auto Supply/Steve Bucknor Western Masters Football League.

In last weekend's games, Violet Tourers blanked Queen of Spain 8-0 and Falmouth Masters brushed aside Flankers 3-0, which left both teams locked atop the zone standing with 13 points.

Although Violet Tourers and Falmouth are assured of semi-final places, topping the zone is considered crucial as it would mean avoiding defending champions and red-hot favourites Hanover Masters in the semi-finals. Hanover Masters, the competition's five-time defending champions, were rampant in Zone A, taking top honours with a 100 per cent win record.

Near flawless

In their game against Queen of Spain last weekend, the Violet Tourers team, which played without midfield star Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore, were near flawless as goals by Troy Campbell (three), Kenneth Gaynor (three) and Heron Grey (two) saw them make light work of their opponents.

While they were not as decisive as Violet Tourers, the Falmouth team was nonetheless quite impressive against Flankers as it easily took all three points as George Sylvester, Wayne Stephenson and Cassman Williams pumped three goals past theFlankers custodian.

Crucial match-up

In Sunday's crucial match-up between the teams, which will be played at Pride Park in Montego Bay, Tourers and Falmouth are expected to be at full strength. The presence of Whitmore in midfield should see Tourers start marginal favourites.

Besides remaining in the hunt for the coveted Steve Bucknor Trophy, the four semi-finalists have also earned qualification for the annual one-day Kirkvine Masters tournament which will be staged in Manchester on Independence Day.