Flow Cup showdown in 'Jungle'

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Jamaica's premier knockout football competition, the Flow Champions Cup, gets ready for another year of excitement with a mouth-watering set of opening-round fixtures scheduled for today, and a few familiar faces bowing into action.

Ten games are down to be contested in round one, with the respective parish champions and teams from the lower half of the Premier League squaring off.

Four of Jamaica's most storied clubs will lock horns at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, with Santos facing two-time champions Reno at 3 p.m. and Arnett Gardens welcoming Seba in the 6 p.m. feature.

With $1 million on the line for the tournament winners, Santos will be going all out for the upset, an assurance given by their ever-vocal coach, Carlton 'Spanner' Dennis.

"Reno is one of the teams in the Premier League for the most years and Santos is one of the original kingpins as well, so it brings back a whole heap of memories and history, so we will be looking to capture some of the former glory," said Dennis, whose team has never lifted the all-island knockout title.

Other game

In another game that pits premier league class against parish association ambition, Arnett Gardens will play host to an old foe in the form of Seba United.

Arnett Gardens, coached by Paul 'Tegat' Davis, who in true Hollywood fashion will be facing Seba, the team he represented for 17 years as a talismanic striker, will be eager to improve on last season's semi-final finish.

'Tegat' was quick to dismiss any thoughts of a sympathetic approach towards his long-time club.

"I am a professional, and even though I represented Seba all those years the only thing I care about is winning that game," said Davis.

Last beaten finalists, Humble Lion, will journey to face Holland United with 2010's joint leading goalscorer, Kimroy Davis, eager to reopen his account.

"This league has a whole heap of energy so I am definitely charged up for it," said Davis, who bagged four goals last season.

Goals against Tivoli Gardens, Waterhouse, St Georges and Boys' Town in the finals show that there is undoubted class in this attacking midfielder, who says his main asset is his explosive shot.

"I have one of the best shots in the country, any foot and it's that ability to shoot that makes me so dangerous," Davis shared, before expressing his ambitions to see his team go one better this time around.

Games on

• Arnett Gardens vs Seba at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex
• Santos vs Reno at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex
• Port Morant All Stars vs Montpelier at Cotton Tree Oval
• Newell United vs Sandals Whitehouse at Hunslow)
• Frazer's Whip vs Star Cosmos at Spanish Town Prison Oval
• Monymusk vs Village United at Monymusk Sports Complex
• Benfica vs Police National at Drax Hall
• Downs vs Standfast at Downs Community Centre
• Eagle Strikers vs St Georges Sports Club at Carder Park
• Holland United vs Humble Lion at Davis Pen

All games will start at 3 p.m., except the Arnett Gardens-Seba clash, which begins at 6 p.m.