Granville's Deshaun Wollery (right) and Sporting Central's Jevaugh Walton (left) battle it out in midfield during their first round Wray & Nephew NPL qualifier at the Sam Sharpe Teachers College. Granville's Jermaine Anderson (No. 9) watches the action from close range. Granville won the game 3-1. The team's meet today in the final round of qualifying with the winner going through tothe NPL. - Photo by Adrian Frater

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

A HOTLY-CONTESTED race for promotion to local top-flight football will come to a thrilling conclusion when St. George's host Police National and Sporting Central plays Granville in the final round of the Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) play-offs today.

Clarendon's Sporting Central, who are out front with 10 points, Portland's St. George's and Granville from St. James, who are on eight points each, have legitimate chances for promotion and there is very little room for error today.

Hoping third time around will be the charm, St. George's, familiar with the disappointment of not making the top flight, are in the driver's seat when they host an already eliminated Police National at 3:30 p.m. at Lynch Park.

"The most important thing for us is that we control our destiny and nobody has to do anything for us. We can get three points and qualify," said St. George's coach, Donovan Duckie. "We are confident that we can come out with a victory. The other game won't have any impact on how we go into the game."

'Not taking lightly'

Duckie will still be without the services of top striker Damion Harwood, who is still out with an injury, but will see regular starters Barrington James and Ricardo Taylor return to the squad after being out on accumulated cards. According to the coach, St. George's will not take Police National lightly.

"They are playing without any pressure and that is a dangerous thing for us. We won't be taking them lightly any at all," said Duckie, who has been in the play-offs as a coach five times.

At Brancourt in the day's other game, which will be played at the same time, Sporting Central are looking to seal their spot in the NPL with a win over Granville, but a draw would also see them safely through. Granville have their backs to the wall to gain one of the two promotion berths but, according to their coach Tracy Reid, they shouldn't be counted out.

"Wehave to win the game and we will be pulling out all the stops," said Reid, who saw her team defeat Sporting Central 3-1 at home in the first round of play-offs.

"Right now they have the advantage but we will be going there with one aim and, with the help of the Lord, we are determined to take away that advantage," she said. With Montego Bay team Wadadah relegated from the top flight, all of western Jamaica will be hoping that Granville are able to pull off the upset.