Unbeaten Excelsior target Calabar

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

High-riding Excelsior will be seeking to make it five wins from as many starts when they host perennial title challengers Calabar High in Group C action of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup at Mountain View Avenue.

The Leebert Halliman-conditioned Excelsior, after turning back the challenge of an improved Charlie Smith 4-2 early last week, returned a few days later to dismiss the challenge of Innswood 2-0, and will be hoping to do likewise against a Calabar team, who have been blowing hot and cold.

Calabar, after getting the better of newcomers St Andrew College early last week, were clipped 2-1 by Charlie Smith last Friday.

"We have always had a battle with Calabar and we expect this match to be no different," surmised Halliman.

"They are one of the top teams in the group, and I anticipate that we will need to pull all stops, and leave no stone unturned."

Excelsior will be banking their hopes on forwards Nico Brett and Jevaugh Benjamin, and central defender Curtis Christie, who all have been having an outstanding season thus far.

Calabar, on the other hand, will look to midfielder Akiel Barrett and Shane Thompson.

In other groups, champions St George's College will aim to preserve their unbeaten record in Group D when they host Edith Dalton James, while St Jago will seek to stay close when they host Spanish Town in the Spanish Town derby. Meanwhile, Ardenne will travel to Donald Quarrie in the group's other fixture.

Elsewhere, Waterford will entertain Camperdown and Cumberland will play away to Oberlin in Group A.

Today's matches

Group A: Waterford vs Camperdown, Oberlin vs Cumberland

Group C: Excelsior vs Calabar, Charlie Smith vs Kingston Tech, St. Andrew College vs Papine

Group E: Donald Quarrie vs Ardenne, St George's vs Edith Dalton James, St Jago vs Spanish Town