Garvey Maceo, Rusea's in crucial clash

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Garvey Maceo High, the 2007 champions, will cop the first semi-final place in the 2010 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup this afternoon if they are able to secure a win against Rusea's High in their second-round Group Two quarter-final clash at Jarrett Park, in Montego Bay, starting at 1 p.m.

The Clarendon-based Garvey Maceo became sole leaders of the group last Saturday when they started their quarter-final campaign with a 1-0 win against Old Harbour. Another win today would move them to six points, which would be enough to give them one of the group's two semi-final places.

"Our aim is to get into the semi-final, and if it happens on Wednesday we will be happy," said Jeffrey Hewitt, the coach of Garvey Maceo.

However, the unbeaten Rusea's, who could only manage a 0-0 draw against the red-hot Lennon High in their first round game, should be full of confidence heading into Jarrett Park, a venue they should consider a happy hunting ground following wins against Spot Valley (4-0), St Mary Technical (5-0) and Brown's Town (3-0), in their last three games there.

In the group's second game, the fancied Lennon, who must be still smarting from the disappointment of not beating Rusea's last Saturday, could be heading into their game against Old Harbour at Jamalco with the attitude of a wounded lion, as while a win will strengthen their semi-final bid, it could be detrimental if they lose their unbeaten record.

Intriguing games

Interestingly, of the three Clarendon-based teams in the quarter-finals, the Lennon team is the only one that has not won the coveted daCosta Cup, a situation that coach Merron Gordon is most anxious to change this season with his talented team, which has won the respect of many pundits.

Over in Group One, where all four teams will enter today's round of games on one point each, following draws in last Saturday's two games, two intriguing games loom as the results could go a long way in deciding the two teams that will ultimately make it into the last four.

Today's games

Rusea's vs Garvey Maceo - Jarrett Park - 1 p.m.

St. James High vs Glenmuir - Jarrett Park - 3 p.m.

Marcus Garvey vs STETHS - Drax Hall -3 p.m.

Old Harbour vs Lennon - Jamalco - 3 p.m.