Down to the wire!... three teams still in the hunt for two DPL spots

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

The Jamaica Football Federation All-Island Confederation play-off is going down to the wire as three teams are still vying for the opportunity to replace St Georges and Benfica in the Digicel Premier League next season.

Front runners Highgate and Seba played to a nil-all draw at the St Mary Sports Club, while Cavalier revived their hopes with 1-0 victory over out-of-contention Rivoli at the Anthony Spaulding Complex to set up a mouth-watering final round of matches.

A 69th-minute strike from Fabain Nethersole was enough to earn the Kingston and St Andrew Super League champions all three points in their contest. The win moved Cavalier up to seven points, two adrift of joint leaders Highgate and Seba, who are on nine each. The final round will see Cavalier playing away to unbeaten High-gate, while Seba will travel to the Spanish Town Prison Oval to tackle Rivoli, who have lost all but one of their five play-off games.

Cavalier was the first to pose a threat at goal in a lacklustre first half at the complex when Nicholas Forbes made a run to the right by-line before pulling back a pass for Jermaine Grey. Grey's effort from eight yards out was, however, tipped around the post by Rivoli's custodian, Marlon Henry.

Rivoli's best goal-scoring opportunity of the game came in the 34th minute when Anthony Greenland picked out Ryan Morgan in the Cavalier box, but fired over from 12 yards out.

improved play quality

The second half saw both teams utilising all of their available changes and this seemed to have improved the quality of play. Grey had two opportunities in quick succession to put his team ahead, the first of which came in the 56th minute. He was picked out beautifully on the back post by Nicholas Forbes, but despite being under no pressure, he headed wide.

Grey was presented with another glorious opportunity a minute later when he found himself in possession in the Rivoli area, but was unable to get his shot on target.

He then turned provider in the 69th minute when he supplied a pass to Nethersole in the Rivoli box. Nethersole collected the pass with his back to goal, but was able to dismiss his marker before curling in his first goal of the play-off series.

Cavalier's coach, David Laylor, was pleased with the efforts of his players and is now looking forward to the final game against Highgate.

"I think the players in realising where they were in terms of points were more focused than any other day, knowing that it was a must win situation, so I think they came out and played with their heart," Laylor said. "The entire team is looking forward to that game (against Highgate) ... there is no giving up; we will be coming out fighting as we know it will be a final for us," he added.

Calvert Fitzgerald, coach of Rivoli was satisfied with the display of his young charges.

"We fielded a majority under-20 team and I thought they acquitted themselves well ... it is promising and looking good for the future."