Bodles remain bottom after sixth defeat

In-form Federal turned back the visitors with a 3-0 spanking at Chedwin Park to move four points clear of third-placed Cedar Grove, while joining league leaders Royal Lakes on 23 points but remain second on goal difference.

Romario Brown gave the hosts the lead in the seventh minute but were unable to breach the Bodles defence until late on when strikes from Gavanie Greenwood (74th) and Jahsan Taylor (83rd) sealed a deserved win.

McKay Raiders and Royal Lakes shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller at Prison Oval. On three occasions Raiders took the lead in a gripping encounter but were thwarted each time by the determined visitors.

Travis Bennett (13th and 52nd) twice sent Raiders ahead but their lead was short-lived as Rodene Palmer (15th) and Garfield Hanson (56th) equalized for Royal Lakes.

Jhanni Flemming (83rd) then seemed to have hit the winner for the hosts, but again the leaders hit back with Chazz Graham (90th) levelling the scores. 

Marcus Garvey FC leapt to fourth in the standings following a 2-0 win over Newland at Ewarton Sports Complex courtesy of two second-half strikes from Dwayne McLeary (47th) and Jovanna Cole (75th), while the visitors remain in the relegation zone.

Portsmouth recorded only their third win of the campaign, blanking Cedar Grove 2-0 at home to move out of the relegation zone. Romario Bailey (9th) and Lloyd Tyrell (75th) scoring the goals for Portsmouth.

Christian Pen moved farther away from the relegation zone with a hard-fought 3-2 away victory over fellow strugglers Albion, while Dela Vega City and Eltham drew 1-1 at Eltham in a game between two mid-table teams.

Meanwhile in the 11th and final preliminary round of matches scheduled for March 2, Royal Lakes hosts Albion, McKay Raiders entertain Eltham, Federal United travel to Christian Pen, Dela Vega City journey to Marcus Garvey FC, Bodles are at home to Portsmouth and Cedar Grove await Newland. All matches begin at 3:30 pm.