Fast-starting defending champs to keep the pressure on

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Mona High enter their third fixture of the ISSA/WATA Manning Cup campaign today against Tarrant as heavy favourites.

Mona will be playing their first match at their school premises and will be hoping to dazzle the home fans after a tough time out in their previous fixture against Jonathan Grant.

The defending champions are atop Zone B with a perfect record of two wins in a row but had to dig deep last Thursday when they edged Jonathan Grant 1-0.

Kyle Butler, a member of Mona High’s coaching staff, said the close result came from being forced away from their usual style of play but still having the quality to grind out a win at the end.

“I feel like we were frustrated at the way Jonathan Grant had set up and their style of play. The field is very narrow and it’s not really ideal for our play,” Butler said.

“We fought out the results and while there is much to improve on, championship teams find ways to win. It’s not always a pretty win or a free-flowing game.”

They will hope a return to their home ground will allow them to play their passing football against a Tarrant High team, who are high on confidence.

Tarrant come into the fixture fresh of their 7-1 win over Gaynstead and will be hoping they can carry that good form against their more fancied opponents.

They sit fourth in Zone B behind leaders Mona High, Jonathan Grant and Charlie Smith.

Also in the zone, Charlie Smith will take on Gaynstead in an effort to move up the table with a big win.

Gaynstead are yet to record a point, losing their last two games 9-0 and 7-1 to Jonathan Grant and Tarrant High respectively.

In action from other quarters, the two giants of North Street, Kingston College (KC) and St George’s College (STGC) will both continue their campaigns today.

KC will look to build on the momentum from their 18-0 win on Saturday when they play hosts to Jose Marti Technical in Zone C at the Stadium East field.

While KC lead the group on goal difference, they are in a points tie with Penwood, Campion College, and Jose Marti.

Meanwhile, STGC will welcome former schoolboy giants Norman Manley High to Winchester Park for a clash in Zone G.

All matches are set to start at 3:30 p.m.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

Mona vs Tarrant

Charlie Smith vs Gaynstead

Jonathan Grant vs Waterford

Campion vs Meadowbrook

Penwood vs Cumberland

KC vs Jose Marti

Papine vs Holy Trinity

STGC vs Norman Manley

All games begin at 3:30 p.m.*