Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

MEADHAVEN UNITED are in touching distance of achieving their dream of playing in the local top flight, after slipping by York 1-0, for a third consecutive win in the National Premier League (NPL) play-offs at the Constant Spring Complex yesterday.

In murky conditions the KSAFA team's top scorer for the competition so far, striker Leighton Neita, shone once again giving the KSAFA team the lead in the 37th minute.

Already comfortably ahead in the standings Meadhaven had opted to rest top player Keammar Daley for yesterday's encounter.

Blistering run

After an even battle on the slippery pitch, winger Lennox Creary exposed the York defensive unit with a blistering run from inside his own half before crossing the ball into the path Neita, who easily poked the ball over York custodian Donald Atkinson from 12 yards away. The goal was the third for Neita in as many matches. Already on nine points, a point in their upcoming contest away to Wadadah will see Meadhaven book a ticket to the top flight.

"We are not there yet, this was good win for us but we have to keep our heads down and we are already heading back to the drawing board for our next game," said Meadhaven coach Lijyasu Simms.

Although the less fluent of the two teams, York did have chances to pull themselves on level terms. The best of those opportunities fell at the feet of Mervin Miller in the 69th minute. Twenty yards away from goal, defender Michael Clarke struck a fierce free kick on target, forcing Meadhaven custodian Andrew Gibson to throw himself sharply to the right to keep the effort out of the net.

Despite seeing his team suffer a second straight loss in the competition, York coach Patrick Barclay does not believe they are out of the running.

"A loss here dents our chances but it's not yet over, we are still in it until the last game," he said.

Meadhaven 1

(Leighton Neita 37th)

York 0