Vere on the cusp of RSPL berth

Vere United coach Michael Bennett believes his team is only one win away from Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) qualification, and he's confident of doing the job when he returns to his old stomping ground in St Thomas to play Baptist Alliance in the penultimate game of the playoffs on Saturday at York Oval.

Bennett, who led White Horses to the Premier League back in the 90s, has coached for years in St Thomas and knows the parish's football very well and he expects to get the result they need to secure their Premier League status on Saturday.

Vere defeated Downs 4-1 on Sunday with goals from Christopher Randall, Swayne Thomas, Michael Moreland and Garrington Baker. The result keeps them atop the points standing with 10, one more than Molynes United who has won all their three games but has played a game less. They are followed by Wadadah, Faulklaknd and Baptist on four points each, while Downs and Lime Hall are on one point each. But Bennett thinks that they are on the cusp of qualification and believes they can seal the deal in their next game against Baptist.

Lose some points

"I think we are one win away. Faulkland have to play Molynes and Wadadah have to play Fualkland, all three have to lose some points. Our last game is against Molynes so it is almost a certainty that we and Molynes will go and that last game will maybe decide who tops the playoffs,." he said.

"Wadadah and Faulkland cannot past 14 (points) and I don't see Faulkland beating Molynes, as I don't think Faulkland is as good as Molynes. So once Molynes beat or draw with Faulkland, we will be there. They (Faulkland) went to St Thomas and drew nil all with Baptist and Baptist is just getting into a little stride. But I have worked in St Thomas for years, I have done many work with White Horses. I know all the players with Baptist, including the coach who was one of my former players. So going into my home town, I expect to get the three points and that may be the springboard for the Premier League," he reasoned.

Bennett noted that it wasn't one of their best games, although they got four goals and the points. And against Baptist on Saturday, he says the points are what will count at the end of the day.

"Expect us to be efficient and not complacent. I know their strength and weaknesses and we are well prepared. Our main aim was to get the goals and get three points because in the playoffs it is not how pretty you play, but how many points you can accumulate," he commented.

The play-offs continue tomorrow with three more games. Lime Hall take on Wadadah at Drax Hall, Downs play Baptist Alliance at Downs Community Centre and Faulkland entertain Moynes at Jarrett Park. All games start at 3.30.pm.