Vere host Baptiste in JWPL feature

Vere United will host Baptiste Alliance in the feature match at the Wembley Centre of Excellence today in the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) as the competition continues today with another round of cross-zone fixtures.

Baptiste are third in Zone A with nine points, the same as second-place Olympic Gardens, who are ahead on goal difference. Frazsiers Whip lead the zone with 15 points.

Coach Vincent Barnes of Baptiste Alliance said that the teams are evenly matched and he expects a very difficult game.

“We expect the match will be tough. We both have the same record, three wins and two losses, but they are a lot more experienced than my team. We have a lot of young under-16 players.

“Vere are a lot more experienced and older, so we expect a tough game, but we have girls like Julicia Pinnock, Jahdel Vassell, along with the experience of Kerry-Ann Sterling, so we have girls who can do the job,” he said.

He added that they are learning the league and coping with the pressure that comes with it.

“We are going with a positive mindset, expecting to win because our aim is to come at least second in the zone and a win puts us in a better chance of getting into the play-offs,” Barnes said.

Vere are second in Zone B with nine points, three behind leaders Cavalier. However, they are coming off a defeat to Olympic Gardens, and will be seeking to return to winning ways.

Club representative Akeisha Rose said only their best will be good enough today.

“Well nothing, but the best is what we expect from our players, although we have few injuries.

“We have played with them a couple of times and they are a young team that is developing very quickly and they do have good players,” Rose stated.

The Vere team has produced some of the top performers in the competition this season, such as Tashika Hamilton, Dahlia Whyte, Keiba Cowan, Jully-Ann and Mureka Howard, and will start the match as the favourites.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s games

Vere United vs Baptiste Alliance at Wembley Centre of Excellence

Cavalier vs Springers at UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence

Royal Lakes vs Olympic at Royal Lakes Complex

Real Mobay vs Rangers at Wespow Park

Mile Gully vs Frazsiers Whip at Brooks Park

All games kick off at 3 p.m.