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THE Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) daCosta Cup round of 16 continues today with many-time champions Cornwall College facing William Knibb Memorial High in a crucial matchup at Drax Hall Sports Complex.
The Western Jamaica-based Zone One clash is one of six matches set to kick off at 3 p.m.
Underdogs William Knibb will be aiming to upset a tough Cornwall College. After a 3-0 defeat by Christiana High in their first match, the Trelawny-based William Knibb will be looking to bounce back quickly.
Christiana sit atop the zone on three points with Cornwall second on zero points and William Knibb last on a negative three-goal difference.
With Zone One reduced to three teams owing to Maldon High’s recent withdrawal from the competition, Cornwall will attempt to restart on a positive note as their 6-1 victory in their opening match against Maldon is now void.
The St James-based Cornwall are the hot favourites to win today’s game and they will make things difficult for William Knibb who are on the verge of elimination. Cornwall will look to top striker Carlondo Morris to help them secure the three points today.
After a dramatic end to their opening match against St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS), Kemps Hill High will look for cooler heads when they face an in-form Ocho Rios High at Wembley Centre of Excellence. STETHS thrashed Kemps Hill 4-0 on October 22 and the latter are now on the verge of elimination.
The Veron Peterkin-coached Ocho Rios clipped Old Harbour 1-0 in their last match and are tied with STETHS on three points. STETHS, however, lead on goal difference. A win for Ocho Rios will book their spot for the quarterfinals for the second time in the school’s history.
Kemps Hill will need to be firing on all cylinders in order to have a fighting chance against an unbeaten Ocho Rios team.
In the zone of death, two daCosta Cup giants, Clarendon College and Glenmuir High, will be locked in a battle at Clarendon College.
With just one point after a 1-1 draw with defending champions Garvey Maceo High, the Devon Anderson-coached Clarendon College outfit will be under heavy pressure. Anything less than a win could severely damage their chances of advancing from a group where only the top two teams move on.
Both coaches are confident ahead of today’s assignment. Anderson, in his first year at the helm after taking over from the legendary Lenworth Hyde, is aiming to return the school to the quarterfinals after missing out last season.
“We are happy for the restart of the competition, and the team is in high spirits coming into the game. We are looking for a positive result. We are ready to play our best football over the 90 minutes,” said Anderson.
Despite playing away, Glenmuir’s head coach, Andre Peart, is equally confident.
“We knew this group was always going to be tough with the quality of teams involved. We are glad for the resumption, and we used the break to rejuvenate the boys,” he said.
Glenmuir’s top striker Orane Watson, with 23 goals so far, will look to lead his team to victory and a place in the next round. Glenmuir were 1-0 victors over Maggotty High in their first round of 16 match.
Today’s matches
Cornwall College vs William Knibb at Drax Hall Sports Complex
Kemps Hill vs Ocho Rios at Wembley Centre of Excellence
McGrath High vs Mannings at Ewarton Sports Club
STETHS vs Old Harbour at STETHS
Clarendon College vs Glenmuir at Clarendon College
Manchester High vs Dinthill Technical at Manchester High
All games kick off at 3 p.m.
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