Quartet hunt advantage in semi-finals showdown

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Favourites and defending champions Barbican, and Portmore Strikers, will be hunting crucial first-leg victories in the semi-finals of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF)/Sherwin Williams Premier League, at the Spanish Town Prison Oval today.

In the opening match of the double-header, Barbican will oppose Waterhouse at 1:30 p.m., while Portmore Strikers will battle Santos in the second game starting at 3:30 p.m.

Barbican, who are seeking their fourth consecutive hold on the island's premier women's football trophy, finished atop the standings on goal difference ahead of Portmore Strikers with 52 points each. They are followed by Santos (38) and Waterhouse (37).

The match between Portmore Strikers and Santos is expected to be very exciting. In their two meetings this season, both recorded away wins against each other.

Oozing confidence

Portmore Strikers, who last won the trophy in 2003, will rest their hopes in the hands national players Tashana Vincent and Iesha Mowatt, along with Rushall Bryan and Nadola Chase.

The Carlton 'Spanner' Dennis-coached Santos will rest their hopes in the hands of national Under-17 player Tamara Sullivan, along with Peter-Gaye Smith and Nicole Pinnock.

In the meantime, the Charles Edwards-coached Barbican are also oozing confidence ahead of today's encounter, following their 3-0 victory over Waterhouse in their last outing.

"After beating them in our last game we are still in pretty good shape mentally and physically, and we are very positive that we should be able to repeat that feat," said Edwards.

"However, we are expecting a tougher game from them because they have strengthened their team with four national Under-17 players, but nonetheless, I am confident that we will do well against," he said.

Former national players Alicia James, Phelicia Lewis, Jodi-Ann McGregor, Trudyann Mills and Kessial Walker will lead Barbican's charge for victory.

Meanwhile, Junior Francis, the coach of Waterhouse, said his team is better prepared and remains cautiously optimistic.

"I think that we are better prepared for this because we have four of our national Under-17 players returning to our team, and this will give us a lot of depth and so I am looking forward to a better performance from my team," Francis said.

"My girls are confident going into this game. But they are playing against the defending champions and they are a good team but I believe if we play our best game we can beat them," Francis said.

Nicole Broderick, Tiffany Robinson, Shantal Bailey and Shaquilla Pitterson are the national Under-17 players on whom Waterhouse will be banking for success.