Lime Hall, Falmouth hope to end first round of JFF championships on a high
ST ANN, Jamaica — Lime Hall FC and Falmouth United, the leaders in their respective groups in the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Championships, will be hoping to end the first round on a high note with wins Saturday.
Lime Hall leads the Baptist Alliance on goal difference, both on 13 points, one more than Meadforest, in Zone A and will be at home to Spanish Town Police in the second game of a doubleheader at Drax Hall.
In the first game, Falmouth United, who are on 16 points and have a six-point lead in Zone B, will take on Mt Pleasant FA juniors, seeking a sixth straight win.
Lime Hall are coming off their first loss of the season, beaten by Meadforest FC, but will hope to rebound immediately against Spanish Town Police, who beat Progressive FC last weekend but are on six points and four places below the leaders.
Baptist Alliance will also be hoping to end the first round with a win and will be going after a fourth straight win when they play away to last-placed Portlanders FC.
Portlanders FC are winless in their last two games and have conceded 14 goals, the most by any team in the group so far.
Meadforest FC, one point behind the leaders, are away to Grays Inn SC, who are also struggling near the foot of the table, and a win for the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) team on Saturday would ensure they stay close to the leaders at the end of the first round.
Falmouth United, who absorbed a number of players from former champions Faulkland FC of St James, have set the pace so far after a couple of substandard seasons and will hope to end the round with another win.
Mt Pleasant FA juniors have struggled since winning their first two games and snapped a three-game losing skid with a draw last weekend, and could be made to work hard, despite playing at home.
Falmouth United leads the league with 13 goals scored, led by three goals each from Tajay Cooper and Tavane Kerr, both of whom will be on the hunt for more goals on Saturday.
Second-placed Treasure Beach, Premier League campaigners last season, are away to promoted Petersfield FC, who are still hoping to find some form.
Treasure Beach are still unbeaten but have only conceded three goals in their last five games, and the Petersfield FC team has only scored seven times in their six games played.
Reno FC, who started best of all the teams, winning their first three games, have not managed a win in their last three, picking up one point, and must win against bottom-of-the-table St Bess United if they are to maintain any hopes of making a run for the semi-finals.
Saturday Games:
Portlanders FC vs Baptist Alliance — Lynch Park
Progressive FC vs Tru-Juice FC — Carder Park
Grays Inn SC vs Meadforest FC — St Mary’s Sports Complex
Lime Hall vs Spanish Town Police — Drax Hall 3:30 pm
Petersfield FC vs Treasure Beach FC — Llandilo Sports Complex
St Bess United vs Reno FC — Lacovia Community Centre
Mt Pleasant FA Jnrs vs Falmouth United — Drax Hall 1:30 pm
— Paul Reid