+- Football Jamaica Discussions (https://www.footballjamaica.com)
+-- Forum: Football Jamaica (https://www.footballjamaica.com/forum-32.html)
+--- Forum: National Premier League (https://www.footballjamaica.com/forum-6.html)
+--- Thread: Jamalco-Maverley relegation squabble promises intrigue (/thread-92.html)
Jamalco-Maverley relegation squabble promises intrigue - fbjnewsie - 05-03-2017
The battle between struggling promoted teams Jamalco FC and Maverley-Hughenden FC is expected to be an intriguing one as the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) continues today.
The game, scheduled to start at 3:00 pm, is set for Jamalco’s base at Wembley Centre of Excellence in Clarendon.
Both teams have endured a torrid time in the nation’s top flight thus far.
Jamalco, first-timers in the RSPL, are in danger of relegation after losing their last four games. They are 11th in the 12-team standing with 23 points from 25 games.
Maverley-Hughenden, who went numerous years outside of the Premier League football until promotion ahead of the 2016-17 campaign, are only one point better off than today’s opponents.
Maverley-Hughenden occupy 10th place, but while they have lost only once in their last five games, a string of three successive draws has left them just beyond the relegation zone.
The two teams with the fewest number of points at the end of 33 preliminary games will be demoted.
Conversely, the top two teams will automatically advance to the league semi-finals. The next four teams finishing between third and sixth will battle for the remaining two places.
In the 6:00 pm game at Drewsland Stadium, the resurgent former champions Waterhouse FC host last season’s semi-finalists Humble Lion FC. Waterhouse, who have won two of their last four games, are eighth with 27 points, while Humble Lion, who lost last time out, are third with 45 points.
At 7:00 pm, ninth-placed Harbour View FC (27 points) welcome sixth-placed Arnett Gardens FC (38 points) to Harbour View Stadium.
A double-header is on the cards tomorrow for the National Stadium.
Leaders The University of the West Indies (UWI) FC (47 points) are set to battle second-placed Tivoli Gardens FC (45 points) in the opener at 5:30 pm.
At 8:00 pm, fifth-placed Portmore United (41 points) tackle cellar team Boys’ Town FC (19 points).
Seventh-placed Reno FC (31 points) and RSPL champions Montego Bay United, who are fourth with 43 points, will be inactive this match day because of the latter’s participation in the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship.
Montego Bay are currently hosting Group C at Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall.
Today’s games
3:00 pm — Jamalco vs Maverley-Hughenden @ Wembley Centre
6:00 pm — Waterhouse vs Humble Lion @ Drewsland
7:00 pm — Harbour View vs Arnett Gardens @ Harbour View
Tomorrow’s games
5:30 pm — UWI vs Tivoli Gardens @ National Stadium
8:00 pm — Portmore United vs Boys’ Town @ National Stadium