Western Bureau:

With the St James FA/Sandals Division One competition now on in earnest, the battle for supremacy is quite an interesting affair with three teams locked atop one zone and only three points separating the top three in the other zone of the 16-team league.

"It couldn't be closer and the standard of play is quite high," said Lilli-Mae Crawford, the league co-ordinator for the St James FA.

"We are very encouraged by what we have been seeing."

In Zone A, there is a three-way tie on six points between Copperwood, Rosemount and Gully Ambassador, which all boast the identical record of two wins and a defeat from three games. Interestingly, Copperwood and Rosemount have identical goal differences, both scoring three goals and conceding one. Gully Ambassador have scored two goals and conceded two.

The remainder of Zone A's standing reads as follows: Maldon 4, Defenders 4, Barrett Town 3, New Johns 3 and Glendevon 2. Interesting, which have one defeat and two draws, are the only team in the group yet to win a game.

Three-point lead

In Zone B Seaview FC, which is yet to drop a point after three games, lead the standings with the maximum nine points, which give them a three-point lead over joint second place teams, Upton Flames and Revelations, both having two wins and a loss from their three games.

The remainder of the Zone B standings sees Granville Youths in fourth place with four points, accumulated through one win, one draw and one defeat.

Locked

Fire House and Marl Road are jointly in fifth place with three points each, while Greens and Montego Bay Boys Club are locked at the bottom with a point each.

In the area of goal scoring, the teams have been quite prolific, knocking in a total of 56 goals - Zone B 32 and Zone A 24. Upton Flames with eight goals for and one against, have the best offensive record while Greens, which have given up eight goals are the worst defensively.

Despite not securing a new sponsorship deal from Sandals this season, the St. James FA is still using their name as a mark of respect for the 17 years of continued sponsorship, which included last year's competition.