Trench Town giants set for KO showdown

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Defending champions Boys' Town will face archrivals Arnett Gardens in the feature quarter-final match of the Flow Champions Cup knockout competition at Collie Smith Drive on April 6.

The quarter-final pairings were announced at yesterday's draw, which was held at the Jamaica Football Federation's office in New Kingston.

All matches will be contested April 6 and will see each winner progressing to the semi-final, which is scheduled for April 17.

In the other all-Premier League matchup, Portmore United will square off with St Georges Sports Club at Ferdie Neita Park.

Premier League champions Tivoli Gardens will face a tricky contest when they play away to St Catherine-based Frazsiers Whip at the Spanish Town Prison Oval, while giant-killers Santos will host Sandals Whitehouse at the Bell-Chung Oval.

Andrew Price, head coach of Boys' Town, who are seeking their third consecutive hold on the island's premier knockout trophy, said his team is upbeat.

Pulsating contest

"It is just another knockout game, but we are the defending champions, and if we are going to continue to progress in the competition, we need to win this game," said Price.

Price is, of course, expecting a pulsating contest, but he is nonetheless confident that his team can overturn their Trench Town rivals.

"We want to defend our championship and we want the three-peat, and so we will be definitely going out with a lot of energy to defend our title," he said.

"It is going to be a tough game, especially like how it is a knockout competition, and so the stakes are much higher than they are in a league format, and of course, as defending champions, we know that Arnett (Gardens) will be coming at us," he added.

In the meantime, Alvin Shaw, assistant coach of Tivoli Gardens, said although he expects his team to get the better of Frazsiers Whip, they won't be taking them lightly.

"It will be a tough game for us because I have seen Frazsiers Whip a few times recently, and they are playing excellent football," said Shaw.

"They are highly motivated and they are also a very spirited team," he said. "They are also going to be full of confidence due to the fact that they will be playing against one of the best teams in the Premier League," Shaw said. "However, this tournament means a lot to us and we will be putting out everything to win it."