Jermaine Lannaman, Freelance Writer

SMITH

FORMER NATIONAL Under-20 player Dwayne Smith says his club, Meadhaven United, should perform well despite his unavailability and that of fellow defender Robert Palmer for the upcoming National Premier League (NPL) season.

The two, who played pivotal roles in Meadhaven's recent promotion to the NPL, are expected to leave the island shortly to take up study engagements in the United States with Bethel College and Park University, respectively.

Speculation

This had led critics to speculate that with their absence, Meadhaven, who could field one of the youngest teams in the league this year, will be vulnerable in defence and struggle to hold their own in the league.

But not so, says Smith, who was a member of Jamaica's silver-medal winning team in Brazil last year at the Pan Am Games, and Palmer, whose goal in the final of the Olivier Shield last year handed Jamaica College the title.

"Meadhaven is a team," Smith said. "We are not highly dependent on any one person as, in the past, we have played matches without not one, nor two, nor three of our top players, but as many as five, and have performed well," said Smith. "The crop of players we have are very able-bodied and can deliver with or without us. That's how 'Wagga' (the late David Hunt) set it, and that is how it is," he said.

Smith, 22, is a past student of Meadowbrook and Calabar High, and will be entering his second year of studies at Bethel College, Nashville, Tennessee, while Palmer, 19, attended Calabar and Jamaica College and will begin his first year of studies at Park University in Kansas City, Missouri.

Tough season ahead

"It's going to be rough, but I expect us to have a good season," said Palmer, who marshalled Meadhaven's defence to good effect against the likes of Wadadah, Rivoli and York in the NPL play-offs.

"At the beginning we may be very tense, but as the season progresses we should come into our own. I am expecting us to finish in at least the top six," he said.

Meadhaven, who will look to another national Under-20 representative, midfielder Keammar Daley - who it is rumoured is being sought by other clubs - to lead the way this season, resumed training last week and like all teams, will bow into action on Sunday, August 24, the slated start of the league.