By Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport EditorAN ALL-Premier League clash between Constant Spring and Harbour View highlights this afternoon's big quarter-final schedule in the do-or-die KSAFA/NEM Jackie Bell KO competition.
The match at Constant Spring is set to kick off at 3:00 the same time when two of the other three games are to begin.
"It's a must-win situation," said Donovan Hayles, coach of Harbour View who will be meeting Constant Spring for the third time this season.
His team won its past three games and held the leading position in the NPL on 43 points before Sunday's end of round final which Tivoli won to earn three bonus points and move to 45.
Two-time champions Constant Spring are way back on 25 but they have not lost this season to Harbour View.
"We're aware that this season we haven't taken maximum points from Constant Spring. We're going to play them away from home and it can be difficult ... But being that it's a knockout and there has to be a winner we've nothing else to think about but a victory," he added.
Geoffrey Maxwell, coach of Constant Spring who beat Harbour View 1-0 in their league opener and drew 2-2 in November, said: "We have done pretty well against them in the Premier League but this is a knockout, we have to approach the game in a very positive frame of mind. This is a one-off game which somebody has to win. In a knockout it's very unpredictable. But we feel very confident that we can move on to the semi-finals."
In other early afternoon contests, Boys' Town, one of three Super League contenders, will host defending champions Waterhouse, who are chasing a three-peat, at their recently upgraded place at Collie Smith Drive; while title fresh Premiership club Tivoli Gardens, who took in the end of second round final Sunday over Rivoli, are travelling to Up Park for a battle with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).
Super League leaders Santos, to which this competition has sentimental value, will play Arnett Gardens in the day's late game at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex at 5:30 p.m.
The competition is named in honour of its founder, former administrator and coach Winthorpe 'Jackie' Bell.
However, Santos number among two in this eight-team phase who have never won this knockout. The other is Boys' Town, who lie second in the Super League. Interestingly, Santos won an unrivalled five national titles, all before the inauguration of this competition in 1987. Boys' Town have won three national championships, the last in the 1988-89 season.
They no longer hold a Premier League spot, but even though only one match-up comprises teams from the same competition level, it is anticipated that all contests will be keenly contested because the Super League is on the next tier to the Premier.
Also, its representatives Santos, Boys' Town and the JDF, have status, have won the Premiership and are currently doing well, so nothing can be taken for granted in these top four deciders.
"Last year we were beaten by Tivoli at this stage but we're confident and playing really well," admitted Carlton 'Spanner' Dennis, coach of Super League mid-season champions and leaders Santos.
"It's the only the competition that we've never won. We're hoping that one day we'll do that, we're hoping that it is this year. Arnett are a quality team who we have all the respect for, but it's the luck of the draw, in knockouts anything can happen," Dennis pointed out.
Arnett, whose four titles are only equalled by Waterhouse, are repairing an uncharacteristic season with three wins and one draw in their past four games to ease relegation worries.
"Firstly, we're looking to continue winning, that's a motivating factor," said coach Hugh McCarthy.
He added: "We're working on some areas that we think need tightening up for the third round. We're using this opportunity and the opponent to tighten up these areas, especially in attack. We'll use the game to get our little weak areas strengthened."
We have some players in mind who we are considering, but we intend to go with a good team nonetheless."
