Russians set to bomb Green Island again

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

WITH inter-zone places on the horizon, front-runners will be seeking to consolidate their positions when second-round fixtures in the 2011 ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel daCosta Cup football competition start this afternoon with a full slate of matches in all 12 zones.

Champions Rusea's, which have taken a stranglehold on Zone B with maximum 18 points from six first-round games, will play away to Green Island, the team they clobbered 10-0 on the competition's opening day.

Another goal spree could be in the offering, especially if Rusea's star strikers Brian 'Rambo' Brown and Anthony Walker, the chief architects of their 38 goals for and none against record, report in top form.

With runaway leaders, the unbeaten St James High, on a scheduled break, the likes of second-place Spot Valley (10 points) and the inconsistent Cornwall College (eight), the many-time champions, should have playing catch up on their mind.

In Zone C, leaders Cedric Titus (13) should have things easy against struggling Albert Town (0), but a battle royal is expected between second-place Ocho Rios (10) and third-place Marcus Garvey (nine).

In Zone D, all eyes should be on the top-of-the-table clash between leaders St Mary Technical (10) and second-place St Mary High (eight).

In zones E and F, it should be smooth running for the front-runners. Leaders Mannings (13) and Grange Hill (12) should have things easy against strugglers Little London (zero) and former champions Godfrey Stewart (seven), respectively, in Zone E; while in Zone F, leaders St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Munro, both on 16 points, should start favourites against Balaclava (five) and Black River (12), respectively.

In Zone G, leaders Manchester High (15) should win big against the tame Mile Gully, but a lively contest should be in the offering between second-place Knox (12) and third-place Spalding (11), whose first-round meeting ended in a 0-0 draw.

In Zones H and I, front-runners should again dominate. Edwin Allen (19) and last year's beaten finalists, Lennon (16), should easily dispose of Zone H opponents Thompson Town (2) and Alston (1), respectively, while Denbigh and Garvey Maceo, both on 15 points, should do the same against Bustamante (1) and Vere (3), respectively.

While much excitement is not anticipated in Zones J and K, there could be some amount of fireworks in Zone L, where a top-of-the-table clash looms between Morant Bay (9) and Paul Bogle (7). In the first- round game, Morant Bay defeated Paul Bogle 1-0 on Paul Bogle's home turf.