Two teams join JPL elite today
Published:Sunday | July 2, 2023 | 1:52 AMLivingston Scott - Gleaner Writer
TWO CLUBS will earn the right to compete in next season’s Jamaica Premier League (JPL) when the second leg of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) National Tier II semi-finals are completed this afternoon.
Treasure Beach take a 2-0 advantage into their game against Tru Juice at Bramwell Clarke Complex in Ewarton, while Lime Hall hold a 3-2 lead going into their match against Racing at Drax Hall.
Racing coach Anthony Patrick believes their first-leg defeat to Lime Hall was just a minor slip-up, and he remains fully confident of turning the tables and securing their place in the final, as well as next season’s JPL.
“We still have another 90 plus (minutes) and we are pretty confident. I am confident we can turn the tables. We went there already and we beat them.
“We expect a cat-and-mouse game. They are coming to defend that one goal lead but we are pretty confident we can get back and come out on top,” Patrick said.
He also warned that Racing play much better on the road, but insists they must take their chances if they intend to turn the result in their favour.
“We just have to score the chances we get. We missed three easy chances in the first half hour (first leg) and that would have easily killed off the other team. We play way better on the road, so I think it will be good for us. But I am confident we will get back,” he said.
Lime Hall coach Alfred Barnett said going back home with an advantage is priceless, and that they have no intention of surrendering that advantage, as their motivation is to have another JPL team from the parish.
“It is always a strength to be playing at home and going back home with 1-0 advantage that is gold. We have no intention of giving that up at home,” he stated.
SURPRISE VICTORY
He said his team gave everything in the first leg to come away with the surprise victory. However, he anticipates an even tougher game at home.
“The first leg, we put out more than courage. We fought bravely and, now that we are at home, it’s an even harder fight, as now Racing will have all to fight for,” he said.
Nevertheless, he believes this can work to their advantage.
“Seeing that they will have to come and play attacking football, they cannot sit back too much and that may be to our advantage in terms of the counter. But we don’t intend on giving up that lead at home.”
He added that. “We would like to have another national league team in St Ann. Just imagine a Mount Pleasant and a Lime Hall at home. When Mount Pleasant travel, you see the crowd. So you can just imagine the two St Ann teams. So we couldn’t ask for better. This is what we need,” he said.
Although Treasure Beach are sitting pretty against Tru Juice, the St Catherine side will fancy their chances at home, and they know that an early goal could turn the tide very quickly.
However, Treasure Beach have the experience of reaching this stage last season and will be drawing on all that experience to see themselves through.
Both games start at 3:30 p.m.