Reported by Sports Analyst, Clyde Jureidini
After 9 years the newly-minted sponsors of the all-island knockout, Lynk, kicked off the Lynk Cup to much joy from the football fraternity. After the competition’s long absence this was also made possible by commercialization through the efforts of the Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL).
All players will be hungry to score and win a cash incentive of J$5,000 per goal to their Lynk wallet by the title sponsors. Supporters are encouraged to come out and support at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex to possibly win big cash prizes. Entry covers a double header, with Harbour View FC vs Chapleton Maroons FC preceded by Cavalier FC vs Mount Pleasant FC at 4pm. Paying patrons get a chance to win J$25,000 at the game.
Lynk Cup Quarterfinal: Harbour View FC vs Chapelton Maroons FC
- Entry: $1000
- Venue: Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex
- Time (Quarterfinal Leg 1): 7pm
Harbour View FC stakes the claim of being the club winning the most times in the JFF All-Island Champions Cup with 5 titles, not 4 as reported publicly. This includes a crucial 1-0 victory in 2003 over Hazard United (known today as Portmore United) when Jermaine Hue scored against goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers to win 3 titles in a row― in 2001, 2002, 2003, plus 1994 and 1998. Some records somehow have 2003 recorded as 1 of Portmore United’s victories.
Harbour View FC will likely rotate their squad once again for this 1st leg quaterfinal. The Premier League defending champions would aim to keep the players sharp, encouraged and energetic. Chapelton Maroons lost badly in their last game ahead of this Lynk Cup quarterfinal encounter. In the Premier League they were beaten 4-0 by another Clarendon neighbor, Vere United. They will likely want to throw all their focus on this knockout opportunity to possibly walk away with the prestigious silverware, after all but sealing their fate of being relegated from next season’s premier league. Harbour View won their last Premier League game 2-0 against Waterhouse FC ahead of this quarterfinal encounter. They will surely aim to maintain their winning streak in this 1st quarterfinal leg (and beyond) to continue their recent good form.
Harbour View FC will no doubt face a determined Chapelton Maroons FC at the quarter final stage. In the round of 16 Lynk Cup match ups Chapelton Maroons showed grit to knockout their Clarendon neighbours and fellow Jamaica Premier League (JPL) team Humble Lion FC; Harbour View clipped Falmouth United 4-0 to knock them out of the competition.
Lynk Cup Aids Showcase of Football Talent
The Lynk Cup is a great platform to allow some young guns to make their mark while established players act as leaders. Players with limited game time also get more opportunity to push for a starting spot in the team for JPL games.
The previous Harbour View Lynk Cup game at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex was captained by Romaine Brackenridge, where he led by example. The seasoned, lanky defender scored as a rare feat, continuing to improve his stocks. In that game, Harbour View Goalkeeper Romario Palmer was voted the ‘Most Valuable Player’― his 2nd of the season― and may retain his place between the sticks for this match. Midfield substitute Saqlain Waul tallied his 1st goal of the season, to claim a spot on the Premier League match squad the following week.