Frome, Rusea's in daCosta mega clash

WESTERN BUREAU:

Although champions St Elizabeth Technical High will be in action against Maggotty later today, it's the Zone B clash featuring Frome Technical and Rusea's that is the highlight of the day's heavy 27-match ISSA/Flow daCosta Cup fixture.

Both are sporting identical records after playing once so far, but the Westmoreland-based Frome lead the zone on goal difference, having netted four times, while Rusea's have scored twice.

It is easy to see why this match - the first of two meetings in the first round of the competition between these two - holds such prestige.

They boast some of schoolboy football's most rabid supporters and anytime these schools meet it is usually, fireworks both on and off the field.

Rusea's coach Aaron Lawrence is in his third year running the programme at the former many-time champions. He knows full well that the throng of "Russian" supporters will never be pleased with any result other than a victory.

VICTORY IS A MUST

"It is early days yet, but we are aware that this school, our supporters, and fans want nothing apart from victory. The players know that we need to play a great game today to leave Westmoreland with three points," he said.

"Both schools have identical records coming into this match so we are expecting a very even game. I think the team that makes the most of their chances will win. I am hoping we are the ones," stated Lawrence.

These are schools with real football pedigree. Rusea's have won ten titles in their history, while Frome has managed to land just one lien so far and that was back in 2003.

Elsewhere, front-running Cornwall College are hunting another three points to keep their perfect record intact; this time, they are taking on third in Zone A, Green Pond, at the Cornwall College playing field.

Meanwhile, over in Zone E, STETHS, who have already bagged two victories from as many matches, go in search of a third, when they host the out-of-sorts Maggotty, while second-placed Lacovia travel up the mountains to face Munro College in another high-value match.

In Zone M, first meet second as Glenmuir entertain Garvey Maceo at the Juici Beef Complex, while Vere should have their hands full with Kemps Hill in a top-of-the-table clash at the Vere playing field.

- P.C

Today's matches

Irwin vs St James

Cornwall College vs Green Pond

Frome vs Rusea's

Muschett vs Spot Valley

Cedric Titus vs William Knibb

Holland vs Herbert Morrison

Godfrey Stewart vs Manning's

Petersfield vs Grange Hill

Maud McLeod vs Little London

STETHS vs Maggotty

Munro vs Lacovia

Bellefield vs Spalding

Holmwood vs May Day High

Alston vs Christiana

Edwin Allen vs Knox

Claude McKay vs Thompson Town

Dinthill vs Charlemont

Bog Walk vs McGrath

Titchfield vs Port Antonio

Oracabessa vs Fair Prospect

Glenmuir vs Garvey Maceo

Central vs Tacius Golding

Bustamante vs Old Harbour

Vere Tech vs Kemps Hill

Morant Bay vs Yallahs

Paul Bogle vs Robert Lightbourne

Ewarton vs Guys Hill

 Home team named first; all matches start at 3:30 p.m.