Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

TIVOLI GARDENS and Boys' Town face off today in a west Kingston derby for the Flow Champions Cup with years of rivalry and bragging rights on the line, starting 4:30 p.m. at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex.

Tivoli, Jackie Bell Corporate Area champions after booting Boys' Town in the quarter-finals, are aiming to confirm their dominance over their rivals from the opposite side of Spanish Town Road.

Boys' Town are yet to beat their rivals in three meetings this season. They were denied a spot in the first-round final of the Digicel Premier League by Tivoli and drew their second-round match-up 2-2 at the Edward Seaga Stadium.

Third in the Premiership

Boys' Town are third in the Premiership, a point ahead of Tivoli, who are in peak form but will be hurt by the absence of four starters - goalie, Edsel Scott, midfielder, Steve Green, left back, Christopher Jackson and striker, Navion Boyd, who scored in their last two Premiership games.

Boyd was ejected from Tivoli's semi-final win whereas Jackson, Green and Scott were banned by the Jamaica Football Federation for their part in a Premier League brawl at Harbour View.

Tivoli have not lost in four Premiership games whereas Boys' Town went down 1-0 at Portmore United last Sunday, snapping a four-match unbeaten run.

Despite losing four influential players, Tivoli will still be tough with Roland Dean and Oraine Simpson as consistent scorers.

Boys' Town's leader, George Vernal is one of the most dangerous strikers from the edge of the box in the local game and along with Michael Campbell, Peter Keyes and Renae Lloyd are the men Tivoli's defence will have to keep in check if they're to win a second title this season.

Expect all-out attacking football from the fierce rivals in a match-up which should pull a huge crowd.

"This could possibly be our last opportunity to carry home some silverware so we are going out there with a positive attitude, show a lot of resilience. If we go out there and play the we are capable of we should get a positive result," said Boys' Town coach, Andrew Price.

Tivoli might be weakened but have a deep enough bench to call on and must be given the edge over Boys' Town.

"They are important players, but I don't expect that to affect us too much, we have a very large squad, some 40-plus very capable players, and we expect that they will be able to step up and provide adequate replacements," said Tivoli coach Lenworth Hyde.

Road to the final

Boys' Town

Round 2

Wednesday, March 4

vs Central 0-3

Venue: Rusea's High School Grounds in Lucea

Quarter-final

Wednesday, March 18

vs Harbour View 0-2

Harbour View Mini-Stadium

Semi-final

Sunday, April 5

vs Rivoli United 4-0

Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, Tivoli Gardens

Round 2

Wednesday, March 4

vs Portmore 0-3

Venue: Edward Seaga Sports Complex

Quarter-final

Wednesday, March 18

vs Reno 0-2

Edward Seaga Sports Complex

Semi-final

Sunday, April 5

vs Waterhouse 1-0

Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex

Past winners

Year Team