Can leaders Meridian Youth Milan rebound and show that they are capable of staying the distance in the race for the 2011 Digicel Premier League football title?
This question will be answered tonight at the National Stadium as the Checker Hall, St Lucy-based side get another stern test of their championship ambition when they oppose Pride of Gall Hill at 6 p.m.
This game will be preceded by a 4 p.m. showdown between Paradise and Sportingbet Pinelands and followed by the St Michael South derby, involving Mackeson Brittons Hill and ICE Wales at 8 p.m.
Youth Milan, who lead the standings with 27 points, have not taken to the field since their embarrassing 1-0 loss to the previously winless Crane & Equipment Ellerton, while Gall Hill, hammered Bagatelle 5-0 on Thursday night.
Like Milan, Gall Hill have several talented players, and this contest should be a riveting one.
Curtis “Messi” Odle has been in fine form this season and his two goals against Bagatelle were from the top drawer with some deft dribbling.
Striking brothers Jamal and Jabarry Chandler as well as Ryan Griffith are also gradually finding their goal-scoring touch and they will keep Milan’s defence busy.
Dwayne “Ticky” Skinner and Romelle Burgess have formed an excellent central defensive unit for Milan, while experienced goalkeeper Adrian Chase has been the best custodian on show this season.
But the man who will have the biggest say in Milan’s fortunes and the outcome is their inspirational midfielder Norman Forde, even though Dwayne “Boot” Griffith and Ramuel Miller have been enjoying an excellent season.
Without much fanfare, Renaldo Marquez has orchestrated Gall Hill’s midfield for the past couple of seasons and his solidity and subtle skills will be required to match Forde’s flair and finesse.
Up front, Kenroy Skinner will need to be more clinical with his goal-scoring opportunities after starting the season with a bang.
The opening match should be a close one between two sides who have shown improvement in the second round.
Paradise, who have slipped into third position on 20 points on goal difference, the same as the Wales and title holders, Claytons Kola Tonic Notre Dame, looked good in midfield, with coach/player Kent Hall guiding his protégé Trevor “Tag” Mayers and Cody Mark.
But the man who has started to turn it on for Paradise is striker Marcus Marshall, with a couple of braces.
Pinelands should not be underestimated as once the talented Lionel Paul is on song, Peter Stoute, Dario Wilson and Damien Welch can test the Paradise three-man defence with six footers Barry Skeete, Mark Cox and Jonathan Straker.
The final match should also be an electrifying affair between two teams with some of the island’s best attacking players.
Star-studded Brittons Hill, now trailing Milan by five points, will showcase unrelated national players Riviere Williams and Jeffrey Williams, plus three lethal strikers in Walton Burrowes, Ricky Barnes and Hendy Richards.
At the other end, Wales, on 20 points, will have two former Footballers Of The Year in Dwayne “Schillaci” Stanford and Dwayne “Killa” McClean, alongside one of the country’s most promising young forwards, Kemar Headley.
