Sun | May 28, 2023

Reno seek victory in Premier League race

Published:Wednesday | June 4, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Barbican FC's Jermaine Parris (front) controls the ball on his thigh while being challenged by Axum FC's Paul Brown during the Jamaica Football Federation National Premier League Confederation play-offs at Barbican Playing field on Sunday. Barbican won 2-1. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Reno FC of Westmoreland aim to stay atop the Jamaica Football Fede-ration (JFF) Confederation Premier League play-off series, when they face bottom-placed Axum of St Mary at the St Mary Sports Complex today, starting at 3:30 p.m.

The Reno team is in pole position on six points, the same as Barbican of KSAFA. However, Barbican are in second position with an inferior goal difference. Jamalco are next on four points, followed by Axum on one point, in the race for two spots to next season's Red Stripe Premier League.

With the return games set to start today, Reno are fully aware that a win against Axum would put them firmly on course, and although playing away from home, they are highly fancied as they trounced Axum 4-0 in the first round two weeks ago.

"We will be travelling to St Mary in order to get a win away, as our two victories were at home," coach of Reno, Godfrey Drummond, told The Gleaner yesterday. "We know that no game will be easy, so we are ready for the challenges ahead."

Craig Foster has led the way for Reno with six goals in three play-off games, including a hat-trick against Axum at Frome Sports Complex.

"Foster is on a hot streak, but it's an all-round team effort. A win tomorrow (today) would put us on our way," he noted.

Foster apart, other key Reno players include captain Alburn Facey, Melville Blair, Delano Rankine and Denmark Gillings.

Axum may be down, but they are certainly not out. However, they need to start winning now.

"We are playing at home and need the three points, so the focus is on a win against Reno," Axum's manager, Marvin Bohardosingh, told The Gleaner.

The St Mary team will look to key players Oshane Dunkley, George Baker, Andre Nelson, Kamar Jones and Michael Harris to keep their slim hope alive.

In the other game, Barbican FC will host Jamalco Sports Club at Barbican Sports Complex, starting at 3:30 p.m.

Barbican will look for their third straight victory at home in their quest for a historic berth in the island's top-flight football competition next season.

The Denton Shedden-coached Barbican are on a revenge mission as they lost to Jamalco, 1-0, in the series opener last month.

- M.S.