Faulkland, Wadada clash in Montego Bay derby

Western Bureau:

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) National Tier Two football competition will serve up an interesting Montego Bay derby between Faulkland FC and Wadada United at WesPow Park in Tucker, St James, today at 3:30 p.m.

Faulkland will be looking to continue their good start in the competition in which the top two teams will advance to the Jamaica Premier League at the end. Wadada, who missed out on a chance to get to the Premier League a few months ago, will want to get a positive result and show that they are one of the leading contenders in the competition.

Gregory Palmer, coach of Faulkland, said his players will be on a high for the encounter but noted he is focused on tactical execution.

"It's a city clash. We know, with derby matches, players usually get hyped up for them. It's just for me to keep them calm, have them prepared tactically, and get them to execute on the day," Palmer said.

He added that their 5-1 win over Hopewell last Saturday showed that they are creating chances, and he is also impressed with the continuous progression of the team.

"It's a good feeling to score five goals. We made more than 200 passes in the first half and, in the second, 310. So I think the passing-and-moving game is improving. We just have to continue working on that. Our style of play is to move the ball around, opening the gaps and playing the balls through the channels. It's really an improvement from the first two games."

Coach of Wadada, Daniel Ricketts, said, despite having a young squad, he expects his boys to rise to the occasion in the derby and give their best.

"It's a totally different team from the last season. This team is filled with mainly youngsters we recruited from the high schools. However, once it's a derby, they will give their all because they are playing in front of their home crowd. They want bragging rights, so I know they will give their best," Ricketts said.

Today's matches

Hopewell United vs Chapelton at Orchard Sports Complex

Treasure Beach vs Baptist Alliance at Breds Sports Park

Falmouth vs Lime Hall Academy at Elliston Wakeland Centre

Tru Juice vs Albion Mountain at Prison Oval

Downs vs Portlanders at Downs Community Centre

All games kick off at 3:30 p.m.