Bodles, Downs claim points in boardroom

BY ANDREW HANCEL Observer writer

Saturday, February 18, 2012

The positions of Bodles FC and Downs FC in the South Central Super League improved following a mid-season meeting of the executive body recently.

During the meeting, chaired by chairman Dale Spender, the South Central Confederation ruled that full points and a "3-0 margin" is to be awarded to Downs "because Newland failed to properly advise the Confederation of a venue change" in the first round; while the round nine contest between Bodles and Naggo Head "which was not played due to a colour clash was awarded in accordance with the regulations" to the former plus a 3-0 scoreline.

Also at the meeting held at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Building in Mandeville, the parish football associations of St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon and St Catherine were mandated to re-certify all football fields used in the competition by February 24 as outlined in Article Six, which stipulates that a minimum of 75 per cent of Super League fields must be grassed.

Just this week, New Green FC of Manchester complained to the Observer about the poor state of the field at Newland in Portmore referring it to a 'dust bowl' following a 3-1 defeat there last Sunday.

In an effort to maintain strict compliance regarding payments, the executive stated that clubs will be prohibited to "proceed to Stage III" of the competition, and could face possible exclusion "without full settlement of all outstanding fines and fees". Deadline for these payments is March 5.

Two weeks ago the organisers halted round seven of the competition to bring clubs in compliance for the non-payment of fees for match officials. At the said meeting it was announced that round seven has been rescheduled to the weekend of March 3 and 4.

The readjustment table sees Bodles returning to the top-four on 12 points, while Downs climb to seventh with 10 points. Naggo Head dropped out of the top-four and are now sixth with 11 points, likewise Newland, who are second from bottom with eight points.

In today's round 10 fixture, Naggo Head will make the short trip to De la Vega City with very little between both sides.

Coach Robert Ralph guided Naggo Head to a top-four spot at the end of the first phase, while De la Vega had one of the worst records. Since then De la Vega have been improving and should ask some serious questions of their opponents at home.

Royal Lakes' 4-1 loss to Spartan is one they and coach Anthone Bimmer would want to quickly forget, especially with Meadows going to Lime Tree. Meadows could be low on confidence at the moment as they haven't won any of their last three games. But coach Christopher Russell will be treating this clash as a must-win, as they would want to make sure the gap between them and leaders Rivoli isn't extended any further, while at the same time he would want to put some distance between himself and those below.

Following their moral-boosting 2-1 victory over Meadows and then a massive 3-1 road win over Super Action, Rivoli are buoyant and will be eying maximum points against another struggling unit in the form of Newland at Monk Street.

In tomorrow's final set of round 10 matches, New Green will be aiming for their first win of the second phase when they host Spartan at Brooks Park.

Both Super Action and Monymusk will be looking to rebound from defeats suffered last week with the latter entertaining the boys from the breadbasket parish, while Downs journey to St Catherine to play Linval Dixon's Bodles.

All matches begin at 3:00 pm.