Four Paths, Jamalco in mouthwatering clash

BY OSHANE TOBIAS

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

MAY PEN, Clarendon — It is a battle between two newcomers, yet it is shaping out to be the most anticipated game of the Clarendon/Captain's Bakery Major League season.

Four Paths host Jamalco today at the Four Paths Community Centre in south west Clarendon, with the winner sure to assume top spot.

But, with both teams making their debuts in the parish's top-flight, few persons would have tipped them to be such dominant forces after six rounds of games.

"It's not really a surprise to me because when you look at the Division One competition last season, these teams really gave a good account of themselves," said Lee Hinds, chairman of the FA's Competitions Committee.

"They were the winners (Jamalco) and runners-up so they basically came into the Major League with the same momentum. They are two of the better structured clubs in the parish and they went out and got players to bolster their squads, so it's not an accident that they are doing so well," the FA vice-president added.

So far, the sides have combined for a total of 20 goals, while conceding five between them after winning five and four games, respectively. And only one point separates leaders Jamalco from second-placed Four Paths, who are the only team yet to face defeat.

It is actually not the first time that the competition is being dominated by newcomers. In fact, Spartan Athletic, as recently as last season, created a similar impact on their way to championship success.

And Hinds now thinks the winner of today's game might just go on to emulate Spartan's accomplishment.

He said: "People are looking at three teams — Wood Hall, Jamalco and Four Paths — as potential champions, but I'm thinking that the winner of this game can very well go on to win the competition, even though we all know the ball is round."

It is the type of game that will have pundits shying away from making predictions, based on the closeness of the teams.

They are the competition's joint top-scorers with 10 goals apiece and are also two of the three best defensive sides to date.

"It's going to be a very interesting game," Jamalco coach Garfield Carney admitted. "The mere fact that both of us came up from the Division One last season and are now sitting atop the Major League is going to add a whole new perspective to it."

He added: "They lost to us in the Division One final last season and any team would want to gain revenge. They are a quality team; they are unbeaten so far and are playing at home.

"But, we're the leaders and it's a league format, so we're always looking to get three points every time we play, irrespective of where we are playing."

Four Paths, who now boast at least two players with Premier League experience in their squad, are yet to get over last season's championship defeat and coach Marlon Allen said they are out to gain revenge.

"We're always second best to Jamalco, so that's enough motivation for us going into this game," he declared.