Ocho Rios season goes on the line today

WITH THE ISSA daCosta Cup round of 16 coming to a nail-biting close, Ocho Rios High School will put their season on the line today as they meet a strong St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) team in a must-win clash to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.

The matchup is set to kick off at Drax Hall Sports Complex and is one of seven games on schedule at 3 pm.

Acknowledging the need for improvement, Veron Peterkin, coach of Ocho Rios, said the team is determined to perform better than they did in a 4-2 loss to Kemps Hill on their resumption.

“We are used to the pressure, we are not running from it,” said Peterkin.

“We have been here before, and the mood in the camp has been positive. We are ready for the game, the team is confident and is expecting to secure a win at home,” added Peterkin.

Ben Francis Cup champions STETHS, who already advanced to the quarter-finals after a 3-1 win against Old Harbour High, sit atop the group on six points. Ocho Rios are tied on three with Kemps Hill, with Ocho Rios ahead on goal difference.

Kemps Hill will need the leadership of Ricardo Dean to continue their momentum and take charge of another must-win game against an already-eliminated Old Harbour High.

Goal difference could well be a factor for who books their spot for the quarter-finals.

In Zone 1, a top-of-the-table clash will see Cornwall College hosting Christiana High at the Cornwall College playing field.

Though both are qualified, the many-time champions Cornwall will look to upset Christiana’s unbeaten streak and come out as zone winners.

Cornwall are coming fresh from a classy 4-0 victory against William Knibb on Saturday.

The schools are tied on three points, with Cornwall leading by goal difference.

The Manchester-based Christiana are no pushovers, as they have had an impressive run this season. They will make things tough and try to secure group honours.

Already eliminated, Zone 4’s Manning’s School and Manchester High will look to secure their first win of the round of 16.

Manchester sit third on a point, while Manning’s are last with zero.

The two will join William Knibb Memorial High, Clarendon College, and Old Harbour in the Ben Francis Cup.

Today’s matches

Cornwall College vs Christiana at Cornwall College

Old Harbour High vs Kemps Hill at Wembley Excellence Centre

Ocho Rios vs STETHS at Drax Hall Sports Complex

Maggotty vs Clarendon College at STETHS Sports Complex

Manning’s vs Manchester at Llandilo Sports Centre

Dinthill vs McGrath at Dinthill Technical

Glenmuir vs Garvey Maceo at Glenmuir

All games begin at 3 p.m.