Harbour View’s Lynk Cup hopes

Harbour View, amid their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) title defence, will hope to heed the warning of head coach Ludlow Bernard to maintain their competitive spirit as they take on Portmore United in the Lynk Cup semifinals clash at 5:30 this afternoon at Stadium East.

Harbour View defeated Chapelton Maroons 3-2 on aggregate en route to the semifinals, while Portmore United survived a late surge to defeat Molynes United 4-3 on aggregate.

Harbour View's passage was far from routine, however, as they had to come from a goal down to win the second leg 2-1. It was a performance which led Bernard to warn his players that they cannot afford not to have that competitive fire if they want to taste silverware this season.

"My players have to understand that to win games like these because it doesn't matter who you are up against, you have to be competitive," Bernard said after the game. Harbour finished the regular season in fourth place and will have a loaded schedule as they will face Humble Lion in the JPL quarterfinals on Monday.

With battling on two fronts testing the depth of their squad, Bernard believes it will have a significant role in how some players respond.

"These games are going to be very interesting. What was pleasing for me is just seeing the depth of the squad and being able to call on players," Bernard said.

Portmore United, who missed out on the playoffs by one point, will have to put their weight behind the Lynk Cup, which has become their final opportunity at silverware this season.

In the second game of the doubleheader at 8 p.m., Cavalier will take on Dunbeholden in a battle of JPL play-off qualifiers. Cavalier edged Mount Pleasant 2-1 in their quarterfinal tie, and Dunbeholden overcame Tivoli Gardens on penalties after levelling the series 2-2 in their quarterfinals.