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Teams hunt d'Cup semi-final berths
BY PAUL A REID Observer writer
Saturday, November 18, 2006
MONTEGO BAY - Five schools will be vying for the three remaining spots in the semi-finals of the ISSA/Pepsi/JN daCosta Cup rural area schoolboys' football competition as the quarter-final round comes to an end.
Clarendon College is the first qualifier to the semi-finals after winning both Group One games played so far and can afford to relax against Glenmuir High in the Clarendon derby at Brooks Park.
Glenmuir, on four points, can afford a draw to get into the last four for the third year running while Garvey Maceo with just a point, must score a big win over out-of-contention Rusea's at St Elizabeth Technical and hope that Clarendon continue winning.
On form Clarendon, the six-time winners, will start favourites to beat the 2004 winners Glenmuir in the first meeting between the schools in seven years. The last time they met was in the quarter-final in 1999 when they drew 0-0.
The teams have played several other times during that period including once this season but it was in the Ben Francis KO.
While Clarendon dug deep to edge Garvey Maceo on Tuesday, Glenmuir have failed to beat the Jeffrey Hewitt-coached team in the three times they have met this season.
Clarendon appears to have put the Ben Francis KO final loss to Frome behind them and have zeroed in on the daCosta Cup and coach Gregory Williams will hope his team can keep their focus this afternoon after having secured their place earlier.
After being held to a 0-0 draw by Garvey Maceo in the first game in this round, Glenmuir got by Rusea's 2-0 on Tuesday and while a draw will be good enough, coach Patrick 'Jackie' Walters will no doubt be gunning for a win.
Knowing full well they don't totally control their own destiny, Garvey Maceo are expected to take the fight to Rusea's as they will need to win by at least three clear goals.
The situation in Group Two is just as tough with three teams chasing the two spots.
A draw in the game at Elliston Wakeland Centre between joint leaders Frome Technical and first-time quarter-finalists Bog Walk (four points) could see both of them advancing, if Titchfield fail to beat Denbigh by three clear goals.
While Frome and Bog Walk are tied on points and goal-differential, the Westmoreland team has the edge, having scored more goals.
Titchfield, on two points, must beat Denbigh who have no hopes of advancing, if they are to return to the last four for the first time since the 2004 season.
The Andrew Edwards-coached Titchfield will be without Curtis Brown who was shown the red card in their 1-1 draw with Frome on Tuesday but they should have enough fire power on the bench to make up for his loss.
The game at Elliston Wakeland will decide the outcome of the Group, however, as Frome will be up against the surprise team of the competition so far.
Bog Walk was forced to wait on a replayed game between Dinthill and McGrath to secure their second ever berth in the inter-zone round and have made full use of the opportunity since.
A 1-0 loss to Glenmuir has been their only blemish so far and they will come up against a Frome team that has a number of top players carrying injuries.
Frome's coach 'Boysie' Nicholson was forced to substitute midfielder Delano Rankine and right back Paul Graham early against Titchfield and it is touch and go if they will be ready for today's encounter.
Sedane McCreath, Kesrick Samuels and Obrian Woodbine along with captain Demar Howard are expected to pick up the slack if Rankine and Graham are not able to make it.
Today's schedule:
Group One
Rusea's vs Garvey Maceo at STETHS
Clarendon College vs Glenmuir at Brooks Park
Group Two
Frome Technical vs Bog Walk at Elliston Wakeland
Denbigh vs Titchfield at Brancourt
BY PAUL A REID Observer writer
Saturday, November 18, 2006
MONTEGO BAY - Five schools will be vying for the three remaining spots in the semi-finals of the ISSA/Pepsi/JN daCosta Cup rural area schoolboys' football competition as the quarter-final round comes to an end.
Clarendon College is the first qualifier to the semi-finals after winning both Group One games played so far and can afford to relax against Glenmuir High in the Clarendon derby at Brooks Park.
Glenmuir, on four points, can afford a draw to get into the last four for the third year running while Garvey Maceo with just a point, must score a big win over out-of-contention Rusea's at St Elizabeth Technical and hope that Clarendon continue winning.
On form Clarendon, the six-time winners, will start favourites to beat the 2004 winners Glenmuir in the first meeting between the schools in seven years. The last time they met was in the quarter-final in 1999 when they drew 0-0.
The teams have played several other times during that period including once this season but it was in the Ben Francis KO.
While Clarendon dug deep to edge Garvey Maceo on Tuesday, Glenmuir have failed to beat the Jeffrey Hewitt-coached team in the three times they have met this season.
Clarendon appears to have put the Ben Francis KO final loss to Frome behind them and have zeroed in on the daCosta Cup and coach Gregory Williams will hope his team can keep their focus this afternoon after having secured their place earlier.
After being held to a 0-0 draw by Garvey Maceo in the first game in this round, Glenmuir got by Rusea's 2-0 on Tuesday and while a draw will be good enough, coach Patrick 'Jackie' Walters will no doubt be gunning for a win.
Knowing full well they don't totally control their own destiny, Garvey Maceo are expected to take the fight to Rusea's as they will need to win by at least three clear goals.
The situation in Group Two is just as tough with three teams chasing the two spots.
A draw in the game at Elliston Wakeland Centre between joint leaders Frome Technical and first-time quarter-finalists Bog Walk (four points) could see both of them advancing, if Titchfield fail to beat Denbigh by three clear goals.
While Frome and Bog Walk are tied on points and goal-differential, the Westmoreland team has the edge, having scored more goals.
Titchfield, on two points, must beat Denbigh who have no hopes of advancing, if they are to return to the last four for the first time since the 2004 season.
The Andrew Edwards-coached Titchfield will be without Curtis Brown who was shown the red card in their 1-1 draw with Frome on Tuesday but they should have enough fire power on the bench to make up for his loss.
The game at Elliston Wakeland will decide the outcome of the Group, however, as Frome will be up against the surprise team of the competition so far.
Bog Walk was forced to wait on a replayed game between Dinthill and McGrath to secure their second ever berth in the inter-zone round and have made full use of the opportunity since.
A 1-0 loss to Glenmuir has been their only blemish so far and they will come up against a Frome team that has a number of top players carrying injuries.
Frome's coach 'Boysie' Nicholson was forced to substitute midfielder Delano Rankine and right back Paul Graham early against Titchfield and it is touch and go if they will be ready for today's encounter.
Sedane McCreath, Kesrick Samuels and Obrian Woodbine along with captain Demar Howard are expected to pick up the slack if Rankine and Graham are not able to make it.
Today's schedule:
Group One
Rusea's vs Garvey Maceo at STETHS
Clarendon College vs Glenmuir at Brooks Park
Group Two
Frome Technical vs Bog Walk at Elliston Wakeland
Denbigh vs Titchfield at Brancourt