D-day for daCosta Cup's elite eight

Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:

Seven former champions, inclusive of title-holders Glenmuir High, will be among the schools seeking to secure places in the quarter-final round of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup this afternoon, when the competition's inter-zone phase concludes with 12 games.

However, while a win might be good for some teams, there are strong indication that it might take more than that in some cases as goal difference might be required to determine some of the six zone winners and two best second place finishers, who will contest the quarter-finals.

While all the games, except those featuring out-of-contention teams, should be closely watched, the top-of-the-table clashes in Group Six, which will see Glenmuir up against Fair Prospect; and in Group Two, where Rusea's will meet St. James High, should generate special interest.

In their game against Fair Prospect Glenmur, coming off 9-0 and 4-1 wins against Annotto Bay and Dinthill respectively, need only a draw to top the group by virtue of their superior goal difference. Should they fail to win and top the group, the exciting Fair Prospect, which had 1-0 and 2-0 wins against Dinthill and Annotto Bay, could advance with a draw as one of best second place finishers.

INTERESTING SCENARIO

For St. James High and Rusea's, only a win can separate them as both teams are locked on four points and have identical goal difference. While victory for either team would be enough to give them group honours, a draw would pose an interesting scenario, which could ultimately see both teams advancing.

Victory for leaders Cornwall College (4) over Frome Technical (2) in Group One would see them topping the zone. However, a defeat or a draw would open the door for both the Boysie Nicholson-coached Frome, and Grange Hill (2) which will be playing the out-of-contention Ocho Rios.

Group Three is yet another hot potato as victory for joint leaders Munro (4), which will play Lennon (3); and Bellefield (4), who will oppose Spaldings (0), with both teams leading the group with seven points each. In that scenario, goal difference will determine a winner, but the second place finisher would have a great chance and Lennon still have a chance of topping the group as well.

In Group Four, a win for leaders Manchester High (4) against the out-of-contention Holmwood would see them winning the group. However, any other result for the Manchester team could open the door for either Clarendon College or St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), who will meet in the group's second game. Clarendon College have three points and STETHS two.

Group F contender Garvey Maceo (6) look a safe bet to beat St. Thomas Technical (4) and win the group.

However, a win for St. Thomas Technical would see them winning the group, leaving Garvey Maceo scraping for a second place spot.

Today's games

# 1:00 p.m.: Spaldings vs Bellefield @ Manchester High

# 1:00 p.m.: St. James vs Rusea's @ Jarrett Park

# 3:00 p.m.: Grange Hill vs Ocho Rios @ Rusea's

# 3:00 p.m.: Cedric Titus vs Petersfield @ Elliston Wakeland

# 3:00 p.m.: STETHS vs Clarendon College @ Manchester

# 1:00 p.m: Brimmervale vs Glengoffe @ Clemhard's Park

# 3:00 p.m.: Annotto Bay vs Dinthill @ Clemhards Park

# 3:00 p.m.: Fair Prospect vs Glenmuir @ Carder Park

# 3:00 p.m.: Frome vs Cornwall College @ Jarrett Park

# 3:00 p.m.: Lennon vs Munro @ Brancourt

# 3:00 p.m.: Holmwood vs Manchester @ Mile Gully

# 3:00 p.m: St. Thomas Tech. vs Garvey Maceo @ York Oval.