Cavalier aim to end slide

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Defending champions and leaders Cavalier will be aiming to bounce back from their surprise 1-0 defeat to Rockfort last week, when they oppose Mountain View United in today's feature game of the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA)/Claro Super competition, at Collie Smith Drive.

With seven rounds remaining in the competition, Cavalier lead the standings with 34 points, one ahead of August Town (33), followed by the University of the West Indies (UWI) 28. Mountain View United are seventh on 16 points.

Cavalier will enter today's encounter quite confident, following their 1-0 victory over Mountain View United earlier in the season.

Boosted line-up

Cavalier have also boosted their line-up through the acquisition of Tivoli Gardens' Kevin Deerr and Jermaine Allen.

"This is a very crucial game for us because we have dropped seven points in our last five matches and so we must get a victory in this one," said Joseph Campbell, coach of Cavalier.

"We have spoken to the players after the defeat last Saturday and everybody knows what they have to do and so we will be coming out guns blazing on Saturday," he said.

Campbell added: "We are not going to take them lightly, because from here on we are going to treat every game as a final. We cannot afford to slip-up at this point and so we have to make sure that we collect all three points from here on in."

Very optimistic

On the other hand, Mountain View are coming off a 1-0 victory over Duhaney Park and according to their manager, Dunstan Baker, his team is very optimistic ahead of today's game, as they seek to stay above the relegation zone.

"We want to keep this momentum going because our aim now is to finish in the top four and we also would like to stay away from relegation teams," said Baker.

"I think that we have the capability to turn the tables on them, because the vibes in the camp is high and the players are confident that they can beat Cavalier on Saturday," Baker added.

Mountain View United will rest their hopes on top-striker Troyland Williams, who has netted seven goals this season, along with Ricardo Reid and Fabian Cooke.

In the day's other games, Barbican (15 points) will oppose Bull Bay (14) at Barbican field, Real Mona (14) entertain Rockfort (25) at Butter Cup Park, Santos (25) oppose UWI (28) at Bell-Chung Oval, August Town (33) play away to Constant Spring (13) at UWI Bowl and Rae Town (20) will host Duhaney Park (10) at Breezy Castle. Match time is 3 p.m.