Return Round

Guardian Group D-2

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

The finalists and qualifiers for promotion to next season’s Division One, are to be decided on Tuesday and Wednesday when the return leg semi-finals of the St. James FA/Guardian Group Division Two is contested, both legs again at the UDC field.

Flanker United and King Gate both hold commanding advantages over Better Tomorrow and Rosemount respectively, winning 6-1 and 3-1 in the opening round semis played at the same venue.

The two, who each have one foot in the final following commanding performances last week against their weak opponents, await the blast of the opening whistle as they bid to remain on course to challenge for a shot at lifting the title.

Both Flanker and King Gate need just to avoid defeat to confirm their passage.

The Flanker team, with an exciting crop of talented players, will again be expecting solid performances from the likes of Danique Clarke, Jermaine Irving, who possesses electrifying speed, the bullish Norman Street and the inspirational man in goal, are expected to produce another dominating performance.

Flanker have been consistent throughout the season and are tipped as the overwhelming favourites who should go all the way in the title race.

The well-oiled Flanker United, who play with swag and style, also possess a solid backline and if the last outing was anything to go by, then another rigid performance is expeted.

Meanwhile, Better Tomorrow would be required to pull off the mother of all comebacks if they are to overturn the huge deficit and book an unlikely spot in the championship game. They have had an up-and-down showing winning a few games they should have lost, however, their never-say-die attitude should again be on display as they strivee to pull off a comeback.

ROSEMOUNT EXPECT PUSH

On Wednesday, July 17, another of the teams in form, King Gate, will also be looking to join the winner of Tuesday’s game when they again come face-to-face with a Rosemount team very unpredictable.

Rosemount semi-finalists for the past three seasons have been performing well below their best this season and that was again evident last week for their first leg match against an opponent they have previously dominated.

Facing a deficit, they are expected to come out firing on all cylinders in a push to get early goals and get back in the contest against a King Gate team that has shown they are vulnerable at the back and their defense can be breeched.

Rosemount got behind their opponent’s backline several times during the first leg, but their inadequacies in front of goal and bad decision-making in and around the penalty area proved costly as they slipped to defeat.

They will be aiming to overturn that result and make an appearance in the finale.

King Gate, on the other hand, played disciplined in the first leg and, marshaled by the ever-yapping Keneil Whittaker, their defense stood firm, when when penetrated.

Both matches are down to begin at 3 p.m.