Do-or-die match for York United

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

NOTHING LESS than a win will do for York United when they tackle already qualified Meadhaven at the York Oval in today's final round of National Premier League (NPL) play-off games.

Meadhaven secured promotion to the top flight with a convincing 4-1 win over Wadadah at the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) field on Wednesday. With just one game to go, the KSAFA team has reached an unassailable 12 points and top spot.

On the outside looking in

The equation for easterner's York United is an entirely different one as the St Thomas team is on the outside looking in. A surging York must however be expecting to give themselves a shot at home where they came from a goal down to trounce Wadadah 3-1 last weekend.

"The only chance we have is to win the game and that's what we are going for," said York coach Patrick Barkley, who will have a full-strength team at his disposal today.

"I think that we have improved with every game and I will definitely be disappointed with anything less than a win today," he said.

In their first play-off encounter at the Constant Spring Complex Meadhaven clipped York 1-0.

Rivoli, considered favourites to advance alongside Meadhaven, have their destiny in their own hands and simply need to beat Wadadah at home today to progress.

Home ground dilemma

Interestingly enough however, Rivoli, who were in the top flight two seasons ago, are yet to win a game on their home ground at the Spanish Town Prison Oval. Despite facing winless Wadadah, who could only muster 10 men for their last encounter at home, coach Anthony Thompson is taking nothing for granted.

"We are looking at it as just another game, it doesn't matter if they have not won a game as yet, we will not be taking any team lightly," he said.

"We have to win. It doesn't make any sense for us to put ourselves in this position and not win. We are looking to returning the Premier League back to Spanish Town," he said.

Rivoli will be without the services of starters Omar Parker and Fabian Gordon who are both out on cards