Spot Valley's Palmer keeping hope alive

Gregory Palmer, head coach of Spot Valley High School, said they are not giving up on qualifying for the second round of the ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup, despite the competition they face from Herbert Morrison for advancing.

Spot Valley, who failed to pick up maximum points in their away Zone C encounter to Holland High School yesterday after a 0-0 draw, remain on third with nine points. They are four points behind Herbert Morrison and nine adrift of leaders Cedric Titus.

"No, we wouldn't call it for this season as yet. With coaching in football, anything can play. Suppose they get it right for the last three games? Nine more points would take us to 18, but they got to have that self-belief to win the games," said Palmer.

"Eighteen points can take us through as Herbert Morrison are on 12 with three games. Mathematically, they could achieve more points than us, but we can achieve the same nine if we go to Cedric Titus tomorrow and beat them," he added.

Palmer, who believes their decision making in the final third and lack of finishing is their major problem, applauds the performance of the defensive unit so far this season.

"Despite the goal not being scored against us - barring the rain game against Herbert Morrison, where our main defender got an asthma attack - we are just not scoring goals. It's a young team and a work in progress," Palmer said.

"The defensive principle is kind of easier to teach and the middle third is a work in progress. Anyone we play in the defensive unit always seem to get it right," he added.

Yesterday's results:

Green Pond 1-1 Maldon

Holland 0-0 Spot Valley

St Mary Tech 2-0 Tacky

Vere Tech 1-0 Central

Yallahs 1-1 Paul Bogle

Today's fixtures:

Kellits High vs Clarendon College

Thompson Town vs Lennon