Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

FOLLOWING OPENING day losses, York and Wadadah will be desperate to get off the mark when the teams face off in the second round of National Premier League (NPL) playoffs at the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) field in Montego Bay at 3:30 p.m. today.

Hosts Wadadah found themselves on the losing end, 2-1, against Meadhaven at Constant Spring at the weekend, while York were drubbed 4-1 by Rivoli.

In an expected close race for qualification, a second straight loss, while not eliminating any of the teams, would certainly put them in a position they would rather avoid.

Must-win game

In the day's other game, favourites Meadhaven and Rivoli will meet at the Rio Cobre field in St Catherine.

"We are looking at this game as a must-win one. We really need to start making some headway for ourselves in this competition," Wadadah coach Delroy Delisser told The Gleaner. "It was disappointing to lose our opening game but that's how football is. We are back at home and home games are always better for every team."

Injuries to Wadadah starters Omar Kerr and Garfield Watson will make them game-time decisions today.

Learning experience

For York coach, Patrick Barclay, a loss at home to Rivoli at the weekend was a learning experience and the St. Thomas team has left it at that.

"We saw the loss as a learning process and we don't need more than one game to know where we are and where we need to be in terms of playing in this competition. We are confident going into today's game," Barclay said.

However, Barclay does not believe the game to be a must-win one.

"We don't want to put ourselves under that type of pressure. We have seen teams go through after losing their first two. But a win or draw would definitely be the result we aim for," he said.