Manchester poised for another rout

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

With the competition on in earnest, churning out excitement and intrigue, the 2010 ISSA/Pepsi/ Digicel daCosta Cup continues this afternoon with third-round action in zones G, H and J, with seven games, starting at 3:30.

While all the games are important in the battle for inter-zone places - which is reserved for group winners and second-place finishers - the Zone G matchup between the high-flying Manchester, who have maximum nine points from three games, and little-known Porus, who have lost their lone game, should provide the most lopsided result.

In the three games they have played to date, Barry Watson-coached Manchester have scored an astonishing 24 unanswered goals - five against Christiana, 10 against Alston High and nine against Cross Keys. Porus' defeat came against Cross Keys, who spanked them 3-1.

In another Zone G game, Spalding, with a win and a draw from two games, are hoping for a positive result against Cross Keys, which would pull them closer to inactive Knox College, who also have maximum nine points from three games.

In Zone H, Lennon, which had their two-game win streak snapped by Clarendon College on Saturday, are favoured to return to winning ways against Thompson Town, who have lost against Clarendon College and Edwin Allen.

It should be interesting to see how Lennon's 2-1 loss against Clarendon College impacts the confidence with which they started the season.

In the other Zone H game, former champions Vere Technical, who won their opening game, should be severely tested by Edwin Allen, who have recorded a win and a loss in two outings. With the zone so competitive, both teams will be pushing hard to keep in close touch with Clarendon College and Lennon High.

With zone leaders Ewarton High inactive today, second-place Charlemont High, with maximum six points from two games in Zone J, could take over sole leadership with a win against little-fancied McGrath High, who have lost the only game they have played. The Old Harbour-Dinthill Technical game should also be interesting.

Today's games

Zone G:- Porus vs Manchester High at Porus Community Centre, Cross Keys vs Spalding at Belair High School, Alston vs Christiana at Kobbla

Zone H:- Vere Technical vs Edwin Allen at Vere Technical

Lennon vs Thompson Town at Lennon High

Zone J:- Old Harbour vs Dinthill at Soya Oval

Charlemont vs McGrath at Charlemont