Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer
LYN
HARBOUR VIEW will this afternoon continue their campaign at winning yet another football title this season when they travel to Constant Spring to tackle the homesters for the last semi-final spot in the January 30 KSAFA/Western Union Jackie Bell Knock Out competition.
The Wray and Nephew National Premier League End-of-First round champions and Caribbean Club Championship winners are hunting their third title, while Constant Spring are looking to win their first major silverware since 2000.
"The Jackie Bell is a competition we have never done well in. We have always gotten through to the third (quarter-final) and fourth (semi-final) rounds and then we are knocked out. We have only minimal success there," said Harbour View's coach Donovan Hayles, whose side last won the title in 1999.
"We have been having a good season, two out of two, and we are going to do what is necessary to add it to
our cabinet. Constant Spring have always caused problems for us in the past and right now they are looking to rebound with some new players but we are taking a strong squad over there to ensure our success.
STRONG SQUAD
Asked to define his 'strong squad', Hayles said "We have all of our players available for the game and we are taking them."
Thus midfield maestro Jermaine Hue, Luton Shelton, Robert Scarlett and Damion Stewart, who all scored against French Guiana in Jamaica's 5-0 Digicel Caribbean Cup victory at the weekend, along with defender Jermaine Taylor, are expected to line up for the 'Stars of the East'.
However, their path to the semi-final where defending champions Tivoli awaits is not expected to be easy, unless Constant Spring backtrack to the losing habit they picked up in the first round. If they don't, the psychological freedom of beginning 2005 with a bang, having bagged four points from two second round NPL games, can work in their favour.
In fact, a big motivational factor flowing in the 'Spring' now is Sunday's 1-0 win over Reno which came on the back of an Oneil Morrison 89th minute goal. It was Constant Spring's first win at home all season.
Both teams have met once this season, in the premier league, where Harbour View emerged 2-1 winners at Constant Spring. Thomas Grant and Sean Fraser were Harbour View's scorers, while Jermaine Richards scored for 'Spring'. But today, Constant Spring's coach Maurice 'Danny' Lyn feels that the result can be reversed.
"In a knockout anything can happen and only a win is good. We are two games away from the final so we just have to go out there for it," he said.
"Harbour View are the number one team in the country right now. We have to show them the respect that is due but the win against Reno on Sunday has helped the players to build their confidence and I know they are looking forward to this game," Lyn added.
In the lead up to the quarter-final, Constant Spring stopped Elleston Flats and Meadhaven, while the 'Stars of the East' have brushed aside Rockfort and Meadforrest. Tivoli Gardens, Arnett Gardens and Waterhouse are the teams that have already booked tickets to the semi-final round.
