High stakes in Highgate vs Rivoli

Orane Hart, Gleaner Intern

Highgate Football Club will play Rivoli United at Gray's Inn, St Mary, in one of two matches today in the Jamaica Football Federation confederation play-off.

The teams are aiming to gain a place in the Digicel Premier League for the 2011-12 season. Cavalier FC will grapple with Seba United in the group's other game at Collie Smith Drive. Both games kick off at 3:30 p.m.

Highgate coach, Calvin Lewis, said he has been preparing for promotion since the beginning of the season - September 2010. Since then, his team has gone on to win the Eastern Conference Super League and remains on course for the team's initial goal of premier league promotion.

"Injuries have hit the team throughout the season, but we have been able to press on towards our goals with suitable replacements," Lewis stated.

Strengths

Highgate's strength lies in midfield, according to Lewis, and his 'linkmen' have provided many chances for the strike tandem of veteran Rohan Nelson, a former national player, and Carlos Barrett, who played premier-league football for August Town. "We also have a good back-line which adds steel to the team," added coach Lewis.

South Central Super League champions, Rivoli, enter the game with premier league pedigree as it was only two seasons ago they were plying their trade in the nation's top division.

Lewis is adamant, though, that his team will not be playing Rivoli United the name but rather its personnel.

"They have experience, but we cannot watch that and let their name scare us. We will have to go out and play our game to try and win the match."

Rivoli's "solid defence" will try and prevent that from happening, as that is the teams' strength, according to coach Calvert Fitzgerald.

"We played 20 games this season and we only conceded in three of those games so we have a proven and excellent defensive unit," Fitzgerald reiterated.

Team effort

Fitzgerald added: "Basically, we have an all-round team and it is more of a team effort, more so than individual brilliance."

With regard to what promotion to the top division would mean to the club, Fitzgerald identified that "every team wishes to play in the National Premier League.

"It is the ambition of every national player and club, I think, to play in the top division of their country," he said.

Should Highgate qualify for the premier league next season it would be the first in the nation's top division for the central St Mary-based club.

"It would mean a great deal to the community and to the eastern football fan base for us to make it to premier league," said Lewis.

Coach Fitzgerald echoed these statements saying promotion would be great for his players and the Rivoli community.