Cavalier, Reno in top-of-the-table Confed play-off clash

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Leaders Reno and Cavalier meet today in a crucial top-of-the-table clash in the Jamaica Football Federation's four-team Confederation play-off tournament at the University of the West Indies Bowl.

In the day's other game, Meadows will oppose hosts Benfica at the Drax Hall Sports Complex in St Ann. Both matches start at 1:30 p.m.

Reno, who were demoted from the Premier League last season, lead the standings with seven points, three more than Cavalier and Meadows. Benfica are at the bottom of the table on one.

The Wendell Downswell-coached Reno will be gunning for their second win over Cavalier in the play-offs, following an emphatic 3-0 victory in their opening match over the KSAFA Super League champions.

Graham confident

However, Reno's Premier League ambitions suffered a setback last Wednesday. Seeking to secure one of the two qualifying spots, the Westmoreland-based Reno were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Meadows.

Despite that setback their assistant coach, Michael Graham, is confident that they will maintain their dominance over Cavalier.

"We have seen all three teams so far and I think that Cavalier is the most competent. But we just have to play our style of football, and once we do this, then I think we should win," said Graham.

Reno, who were champions of the Western Confederation Super League, will pin their hopes on national players Evan Taylor and Davian Thorpe, along with strikers Sheldon Bryan and Craig Foster.

Cavalier will be seeking to pull level on points with Reno and put themselves in a strong position to cement a Premier League berth.

Player/coach Richard Laylor is confident Cavalier can turn the tables on their opponents.

Wasted opportunities

"I think that score in our first match against Reno didn't reflect what actually went on in the game. We got a lot of opportunities and if we had put them away the score would have been different," said Laylor. "We will be focusing on our finishing for this game, and once we get this right then we should win this match," he said.

Striker Loxley Thompson, who has scored two goals in the tournament so far, along with Donovan Alvaranga and Julian Nugent, will lead Cavalier's charge for victory.