Now or never for DPL hopefuls

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Cavalier, Benfica, Reno and Meadows will be aiming to secure the two places in the Digicel Premier League next season when they contest today's final round of matches in the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Confederation play-offs.

Cavalier will travel to Drax Hall to face Benfica, while Meadows will host Reno at the Prison Oval in Spanish Town. Both matches start at 1:30 p.m.

Both matches should be intriguing, as a win could see them advancing to play top-flight football next season.

Cavalier lead the standings with eight points, one ahead of Benfica and Reno. They are followed by Meadows on five.

David Laylor, player/coach of Cavalier, said he is well aware of the danger from his opponents, but remains confident his team can secure the required result to qualify.

"It will be a very tough game and there is no doubt about this because for Benfica to have a chance to qualify, they will have to win this game, and we also can't afford to lose this. So I am expecting it to be a very exciting game," said Laylor.

"We are not going there to defend anything, we are going there to play ball, and whenever the goal comes, then we have to make sure that we put them away.

"Since these play-offs started, we have been playing away because we do not have a home field because we used Arnett Gardens for one game and the UWI Bowl for two, and we are very comfortable playing away and my players are confident," Laylor pointed out.

Benfica, who are the winners of the Eastern Confederation, are coming off a big away win over Reno and, according to their captain, veteran Gregory Tape, they are confident of victory.

Hoping to beat Cavalier

"All we have to do now is to beat Cavalier at home and we will be in the Premier League next season," said Tape.

"It should be a good game because they are a good team, but we just have to play our type of ball game and ensure that we win this game," he said.

Reno, who were demoted from the Premier League last season, were firm favourites to secure one of the two places. But a poor run of form, which resulted in two defeats in their last two matches, has put a dent in their chances to qualify.

Despite the setbacks, their coach, Wendell Downswell, remains very optimistic.

"We have found ourselves in an interesting situation because we have faltered because we have lost a game at home and one on the road, and now it is down to the wire for all the teams," said Downswell.

"However, we are very confident because I believe that once we turn up and play to our full potential, we should be able to come out on top."

Downswell's opposite, Christopher Russell, whose team will be playing their first home match of the campaign at the Prison Oval, said they will be firing on all cylinders.

"We will be going with an all-out attack because our backs are against the wall and we are the only ones who can take ourselves out of it," said Russell.

"From the get-go, we will be going at Reno because we are not going to let them settle, as we know that they are a very dangerous team."

Russell added: "I also believe that playing at Prison Oval will also give my team added confidence because we are going to have a lot more of our fans at this game, which is good for the team.

"I am very confident that we will get to collect all three points from this match because a win is the only way out for us."