Rusea's set for quarter-final berth
Published:Wednesday | November 9, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
Champions Rusea's, Glenmuir, Frome Technical and surprise contenders Cedric Titus only need to avoid defeat in today's final round of inter-zone games to qualify for the quarter-finals of the ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel daCosta Cup, which is reserved for group winners and the two best second-place finishers.
The red-hot 'Russians', with maximum six points from two Group Two games, are favourites to beat Marcus Garvey and top the group. However, should they lose to Marcus Garvey and Cornwall College beat St Mary Technical, there would be a three-way tie in the group, leaving goal difference to decide the group winners.
"We know what we need to do," said Rusea's coach Anthony 'Follies' Williams, whose team started the inter-zone round with 2-0 and 5-0 wins against Cornwall College and St Mary Technical, respectively. "All we need to do is to win the game and we intend to."
Safe bet
Two-time champions Glenmuir, with maximum six points after 6-2 and 4-1 wins against Group Five opponents St Thomas Technical and Port Antonio, look a safe bet to beat Tacius Golding and win the group. However, like the Rusea's scenario, a win for Tacius Golding and Port Antonio could result in a three-way tie in the group.
In the case of Cedric Titus and Frome Technical, who are joint leaders of Group One with maximum six points each, their game at Drax Hall offer a most interesting scenario. Should there be a winner, that team would win the group. However, in the event of a draw, both teams would advance - one as a group winner on goal difference and the other as best second-place finisher.
Among the other teams with strong chances of making the quarter-finals are Group Three leaders Manchester High, Ben Francis Cup champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and their Group Four opponents, Petersfield, who are joint leaders of the group, as well as Paul Bogle High and Buff Bay High, front-runners in Group Six.
Manchester seem set
Manchester High, with four points from two games, will win the group with victory against Lennon High at Kirkvine Sports Club. In fact, even a draw could be good enough, depending on the result in the other group game between Grange Hill (two points) and Munro College (one).
Should there be a winner in the game between STETHS and Petersfield, that team will top the group. However, should the game end in a draw, both teams could advance, one as group winner on goal difference and the other as best second-place finisher.
In Group Six, the clash between joint group leaders Buff Bay and Paul Bogle mirrors the situation in Group Four between STETHS and Petersfield. Should there be a winner, that team would top the group. However, in the event of a draw, goal difference will decide the winner, with the other team having a shot at a best second-place slot.
Group One
3 p.m. Cedric Titus vs Frome at Drax Hall
1 p.m. St James vs St Mary High at Jarrett Park
Group Two
3 p.m.St Mary Technical vs Cornwall College at Highgate
3 p.m. Rusea's vs Marcus Garvey at Jarrett Park
Group Three
3 p.m. Manchester High vs Lennon at Kirkvine
3 p.m. Grange Hill vs Munro College at Frome Sports Complex
Group Four
1 p.m. Clarendon College vs Knox at Jucci Patties Complex
3 p.m. STETHS vs Petersfield at STETHS
Group Five
3 p.m. Port Antonio vs St Thomas Technical at Carder Park
3 p.m. Glenmuir vs Tacius Golding at Jucci Patties Complex
Group Six
3 p.m. Old Harbour vs Denbigh High at Jamalco
3 p.m. Paul Bogle vs Buff Bay at York Oval
Group One
| Teams | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
| Frome | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 6 |
| Cedric Titus | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| St James | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| St Mary High | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Group Two
| Rusea's | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 |
| M Garvey | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Cornwall | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| St Mary Tech | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
Group Three
| Manchester | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Grange Hill | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Lennon | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Munro | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Group Four
| STETHS | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Petersfield | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Knox | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Clarendon | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Group Five
| Glenmuir | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 6 |
| T Golding | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Port Antonio | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
| St Thomas | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
Group Six
| Paul Bogle | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Buff Bay | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Old Harbour | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Denbigh | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 |