Tip Friendly/ISSA schoolgirls football competition heats up

A number of schools will try to edge closer to a place in the Tip Friendly/ISSA schoolgirls football semi-finals when the second round of quarterfinal matches take place today.

In the opening round of matches before the Easter holiday break, a number of teams got themselves in pole positions with victories.

After scoring impressive wins in their opening games, Holmwood Technical and Frome High will look to make it two straight in Group One, against Old Harbour and Hampton School, respectively, despite both playing away this afternoon.

Last season’s beaten finalists Holmwood slammed Hampton 6-0 in their first match and Frome dismissed Old Harbour 7-1.

Both teams are expected to win again today, which will set up a grandstand finish for group honours.

Meanwhile, defending champions Excelsior High are expected to make it two from two in Group Four when they play away to Manchester High.

The Xavier Gilbert-coached team were 8-0 winners over José Martí in their first group game, and although they will start favourites against Manchester, Gilbert said the games usually get tougher at this stage and expects a difficult contest.

“It is not going to be easy. This is the second round, and this will be one of the toughest tests.

“We went there (Manchester High) last season, and it was tough. They managed to hold us out until halftime, and we are not as strong as we were last season. So we expect it to be a tough game for us. But I think we have what it takes to get the three points,” he said.

Yallahs and José Martí will square off in the other group game today.

In Group Two, Garvey Maceo High lead on goal difference ahead of Central High after wins over Green Pond High and Lacovia High, respectively.

In today’s games, Central host Garvey Maceo and Lacovia play Green Pond at home.

Over in Group Three, Edith Dalton James High and DeCarteret College share the lead after 1-0 wins over Seaforth High and St Andrew Technical, respectively.

Edith Dalton, who have one of the league’s leading scorers in Felicia Brown (13 goals), will travel to Bumper Hall to face St Andrew Technical, while DeCarteret host Seaforth High.

All games start at 3 p.m.

Today’s games

Old Harbour vs Holmwood at Old Harbour High

Frome vs Hampton at Frome

STATHS vs Edith Dalton at STATHS

DeCarteret vs Seaforth at DeCarteret

Central vs Garvey Maceo at Central High

Lacovia vs Green Pond at Lacovia High

Manchester vs Excelsior at Manchester High

Yallahs vs José Martí at Yallahs

All games start at 3 p.m.