Bull Bay take on lowly Black Stars

Paul A. Reid, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

THREE ZONE B teams will be hoping to close the gap on runaway leaders Seba United today as the National A League continues with three games.

Seba, who drew a bye this round, lead the zone with 23 points and need a combination of a win and a loss for second-placed Bull Bay to make it to the mid-season finals.

Bull Bay will start favourites today even though they will be on the road to last-placed Black Stars at Drax Hall. Third-placed Central Link (16 points), will be home to Olympic Gardens while fourth-placed Mt. Salem will be hoping to snap their four-game winless streak when they host Israel at Jarrett Park.

Mt. Salem have a mathematical chance of making it to the end-of-round final but must win their remaining four games.

Montego Bay-based Mt. Salem got off to a blazing start, winning their first four games, but have hit a snag since, earning just two points in their past four games.

Playing as Violet Kickers last season, the team won its first four encounters before going winless in their next six and coach Paul 'Tegat' Davis will be hoping to avoid copying that result.

Today's opponents have scored just once away from home, a 1-1 win over Black Stars a month ago, and could find the going tough at Jarrett Park where Mt. Salem have lost just once, on Sunday to Seba United.

After escaping with a 1-1 draw against a weakened Frome team in a cross-zone fixture on Wednesday, Bull Bay must lift their game if they are to get three points from Black Stars and put the pressure on Seba United.

Former national Under 23 midfielder Winston Griffiths looked a man among boys on Wednesday but will need help from his teammates if they are to score their first away win of the season.

Central Link should stay in third place as they should come away with at least a point from Olympic Gardens whose only win so far was against Israel.

TODAY'S GAMES