Old rivals set for big battles

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

It should be excitement galore in the 2010 ISSA/Pepsi/ Digicel daCosta Cup when action continues this afternoon, as fans are poised to witness the renewal of some of the oldest and most talked-about rivalries in the annals of the 60-year-old competition - symbol of rural schoolboy football supremacy.

While all 12 zones have at least one mouth-watering clash, the big derby games are the Zone G clash between champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and group leaders Munro College; the Cornwall College-St James High match-up in Zone A; the Zone B showdown between Rusea's and Frome Technical; and the Glenmuir-Garvey Maceo battle in Zone I.

Impressive record

With Munro looking ominous due to their impressive 100 per cent win record after three games, champions STETHS - with two wins and a draw from their three games - could be in for a stern examination.

However, coming off Wednesday's 8-0 trouncing of Mile Gully, the STETHS camp is now flush with confidence.

"I saw a lot of positives in our game against Mile Gully and I am very encouraged," said Andrew Edwards, the STETHS coach, in the aftermath of Wednesday's game. "I particularly like the fact that we are getting a lot of goals."

Interestingly, if one should look at the record of both teams against common opponents they have met this season, there is not much difference. STETHS drew 1-1 with Lacovia and spanked Mile Gully 8-0, while Munro clipped Lacovia 1-0 and blanked Mile Gully 6-0.

While both teams suffered surprised defeats on Wednesday, the Zone A Montego Bay derby between St James High and Cornwall College should attract a full house at Jarrett Park, as the teams seek to put their respective campaign back on track.

Despite their 1-0 loss to Muschett, Cornwall College, on six points, still lead the group, while St James, who lost 4-2 to Green Pond, are third on four points.

"We have dropped four points in our last two games, so we definitely need to regroup and get our campaign back on track," said St James High coach, Hugh Solomon. "This game against Cornwall College is going to be a very important one for us."

The Zone B showdown between former champions Rusea's and Frome Technical should be a humdinger, as both teams are in sparkling form at this time. Rusea's have a perfect 100 per cent record after wins against Maldon (3-0), Hopewell High (4-0) and Herbert Morrison (3-1). Frome are also perfect, beating Herbert Morrison 3-1 and blanking Maldon 6-0, in their two games.

The Zone I battle between former champions Glenmuir and Garvey Maceo should be very special as it should seriously test the coaching mettle of both Glenmuir's Patrick 'Jackie' Walters and his Garvey Maceo's counterpart, Jeffrey Hewitt.

Glenmuir will be defending a perfect win record from three games, while Garvey Maceo have one win and two draws in three outings.

Some of the other clashes with the potential to be real classics are the Zone K clash between Port Antonio High and Titchfield, and the Mannings and Godfrey Stewart showdown in Zone E. All games are slated for a 3:30 p.m. start.

• Schedule

Zone A: St James vs Cornwall College at Jarrett Park, William Knibb vs Green Pond at Martha Brae, Muschett vs Spot Valley at Wakefield

Zone B: Frome Technical vs Rusea's at Frome Sports Ground, Herbert Morrison vs Merlene Ottey at Bogue, Hopewell vs Maldon at Kenilworth

Zone C: Marcus Garvey vs Cedric Titus at Drax Hall, Albert Town vs York Castle at Albert Town, Brown's Town vs Ocho Rios at Addison Park

Zone D: St Mary High vs Annotto Bay at Highgate, Islington vs Brimmervale at Islington, Iona vs St Mary Technical at Rio Nuevo

Zone E: Mannings vs Godfrey Stewart at Mannings, Petersfield vs Little London at Petersfield, Maud McLeod vs Grange Hill at Maud McLeod

Zone F: STETHS vs Munro College at STETHS, Mile Gully vs Maggotty at Mile Gully Community Centre, DeCarteret vs Lacovia at Decarteret

Zone G: Knox College vs Spalding at Knox, Porus vs Christiana at Porus Community Centre, Cross Keys vs Alston at Cross Keys

Zone H: Claude McKay vs Clarendon College at Claude McKay, Vere Technical vs Thompson Town at Vere

Zone I: Glenmuir vs Garvey Maceo at Brancourt, Kemps Hill vs Tacius Golding at Kemp Hills, Denbigh vs Central at Denbigh

Zone J: Bog Walk vs McGrath at Bog Walk, Charlemont vs Ewarton at Charlemont

Zone K: Titchfield vs Port Antonio at Titchfield, Happy Grove vs Fair Prospect at Happy Grove

Zone L: Paul Bogle vs Yallahs at Paul Bogle, St Thomas Technical vs Morant Bay at Eastern Banana