Cavalier, Seba in crunch clash

Veteran teams, Cavalier Football Club and Seba United, square off at the Collie Smith Drive Sports Complex at 3:30 p.m. in one of two opening matches in the Jamaica Football Federation's All-Island Confederation play-off.

Both former national champions are seeking to return to the pinnacle of national football and victory today would be a big step towards getting to that goal. The two teams are involved in a four-team play-off with the top two gaining promotion to the National Premier League.

Prepared

Player/coach of Cavalier, David Laylor, said ahead of the crucial opening group game that his players are "well trained and mentally prepared" to beat Seba today.

Coming so close to gaining promotion last year, Laylor says this year his team is more equipped to make it to the premier league because "there is more depth" in the team this time around.

"Last year, we found that injuries were a problem but this year we've gone about correcting that by making sure we're able to field more players should injuries hit us," Laylor stated.

Coach Laylor believes his team is well-rounded, with a good defence and sound midfield, but expects his strike force to make the difference in the match.

"They will definitely be wary of our strike force and I'm sure the Seba coach, (Danilo Barriga) will do his homework on us," Laylor stated.

Barriga confirmed Laylor's statement by saying that he has great respect for the Cavalier team and that Montego Bay-based Seba will have to adapt to overcome them.

"Cavalier will be a difficult team to beat, but I am confident that my players will do the job required to get the win," declared Barriga.

Barriga added that with great discipline and collaboration among his players, they could fulfil their goal of reaching the top division.

Right-back of the Cavalier team, Richard 'Alves' Williams commented that there is a "good vibe" among the rest of the players and that it will be a dream come true to make it to the premier league.

Coach Laylor shares this sentiment, saying premier league promotion would be a "dream realised".

"I've been with the team since I was a young player and I really believe that this is the year that we will return to the premier league," he said.

- O.H.