Molynes, Vere promoted to RSPL

Molynes United FC joined Vere United as the other qualifiers for next season’s Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) after they defeated Downs 3-0 in the Premier League play-offs at Constant Spring yesterday.

Goals from Tyrick Sutherland (7), Ackeem Stewart (79) and Patrick Shcecklude (88) saw the play-off leaders getting the better of their Manchester opponent, who are still to win a game in the series.

Molynes, who will meet Vere in the top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday to decide the play-off winners, currently sit atop of the points standings with maximum 15 points from five games.

They are two points ahead of Vere who have four wins and a draw from their five matches. Third place Wadadah are six points off second place Vere, on seven points, and have no chance of catching the Clarendon side.

Winning coach Lijyasu Simms said Molynes reaching the Premier League is a massive achievement and they will be using the occasion to try to bring some peace to their war-torn community.

“We want to take a day and walk the community and use the players to see if that can bring us some peace. So the plan now is to get the players together, walk the Molynes and see how best we can get the community to be at peace,” he told STAR Sports.

“We will sit with the management and see how best we can take this plan forward and then we refocus for the game on Sunday,” he added.

VOLLEYED BALL

The home team got the early goal they were looking for after only seven minutes when a loose ball fell to Sutherland and he volleyed home from six yards. Downs were competitive throughout the game despite the defeat, and Ajay Chin was a thorn in the Molynes defense for most of the match.

Molynes problems were made worse just before the break when Romario Witter was ejected for a second yellow card offense. But although Downs continue to make life difficult for the host after the break, they failed to turn their good play into chances and they were made to pay 11 minutes from the end when Stewart redirected a pass from 12 yards to make it 2-0.

Shecklude then sealed the win two minutes from the end when Nicholas Bennett was cut down inside the box and he converted from the spot.

Downs coach Kemar Ricketts said inexperience was a major factor this season but believes that if they can keep the team together for next season, he is confident they will qualify for the RSPL.

“We have a very young team and if we just strengthen certain areas, we should be here next season qualifying for the Premier League,” he said.