Police FC head coach Richard Hood says his team has the quality to end the unbeaten string of form boasted by 2013/2014 Digicel Pro League leaders DIRECTV W Connection when both teams clash on Friday from 6 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Round Two Match Day One.
“We feel that we can defeat W Connection and we have the quality to do it,” said a confident Hood this week.
Connection, undefeated after Round One with six consecutive wins and two draws, sits at the top of the standings with 20 points. While Police, in second position, are tied with third positioned North East Stars and fourth positioned Defence Force, all with 13 points from four wins, one draw and three defeats.
North East Stars will travel to the Mahaica Oval against home side and seventh positioned Point Fortin Civic (9 points) on Saturday from 3.30 pm, while the defending champions Defence Force are on the bye.
Also on Saturday, from 3.30 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium, eight positioned San Juan Jabloteh (7 points) will meet cellar positioned St. Ann’s Rangers (3 points).
Fifth positioned Caledonia and sixth positioned Central FC, both with 12 points, will meet from 8 pm in the second match of the double header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, following the high interest contest between Police and Connection.
“We are looking forward for it,” added Hood. “We have met W Connection twice, and on both occasions they defeated us 1-0.
“But we are hoping to beat them (on Friday). That’s our intent. I think if our players play disciplined within the plans that we have designed for them, we can beat W Connection.”
Police and Connection have met twice already this season. The “Lawmen” were edged 1-0 on both instances by the “Savonnetta Boys”. First in Round One Match Day Two of the league on September 21, and again on November 27 in Round of 16 of the FA Trophy, which Connection eventually won.
Hood’s side is now on a two-match winning streak, while Connection, also the winners of this season’s Digicel Charity Shield and Toyota Classic, have been held in their last two outings.
“We certainly have to be more effective,” admitted Connection head coach Stuart Charles Fevrier, over his team’s pursuit of the 2013/2014 league title.
“The last two games (0-0 against Caledonia and 1-1 against Defence Force) are games we should have won. Offensively we were found wanting in terms of putting away our goal scoring opportunities. It has plagued us. It's also a problem of other teams as well. But we are aware of our responsibilities. We have the same objective as other teams in wanting to be champions.
“We have a good record against Police over the years but football is on the day. This season they have a very young team and have been playing well. So we have to be mindful of that.”
Meanwhile Hood, who guided the “Lawmen” 2-0 over Rangers and 1-0 over North East Stars in their last two league outings, said, “I’m looking forward to continuing our elevation.
“We (Police) have been doing consistency well. We have been training consistency and that’s because most of the players are now part of the (Police) service.
Hood was also delighted to announce the return of utility player Clevon Mc Fee, 25, and midfielder Kurdell Braithwaite, 21, both from St. Ann’s Rangers, along with former Caledonia striker LJ Mitchell, 24.
Commenting on his December/January transfer window signings, Hood said, “I think Mc Fee is a very dynamic player. He is speedy, skillful, and a hard worker. He is a good player that we can use anywhere. Mitchell and Braithwaite have a lot to offer as well.”
2013-2014 Digicel Pro League Round Two Match Day One
Friday 10 January 2014
Police FC vs W Connection – 6 pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium
Caledonia AIA vs Central FC – 8 pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium
Saturday 11 January 2014
St. Ann’s Rangers vs San Juan Jabloteh – 3.30 pm, Larry Gomes Stadium
Point Fortin Civic vs North East Stars – 3.30 pm, Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin