Manchester brace for tough clash at Knox

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

With three of the 24 inter-zone places already decided, last year's beaten finalists Manchester High School will be among the teams seeking to strengthen their claim when action resumes today in the 2010 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup with games in zones G, H and J, all slated to kick off at 3:30 p.m.

The Barry Watson-coached Manchester High, which lead Zone G with 22 points courtesy of seven wins and a draw from eight games, will be gunning to repeat their first-round win when they travel for a big matchup against second-place Knox College (19), whom they defeated 2-0 in the first round.

"Knox is a quality team and they are seriously challenging for one of the inter-zone places," said Manchester High's assistant coach, Sheldon Davis.

"I am expecting them to bring the best out of us tomorrow (today), but we will be turning up with our 'A' game, we are quite confident and ready," he added.

In addition to their impressive unbeaten record, the Manchester High team is also the competition's most prolific, scoring all of 43 goals while conceding just two.

Over in Zone H, two crucial games are in the offing as joint leaders Clarendon College and Edwin Allen, who are locked on 15 points, will be challenged by Vere Technical and Claude McKay, respectively. It should be interesting to note that while Clarendon College have a 100 per cent win record from five games, Edwin Allen have recorded five wins and one defeat in six outings.

In the corresponding first-round game, the Donovan Duckie-coached Clarendon College had a close 1-0 win against Vere Technical, while Edwin Allen had a similar 1-0 win against Claude McKay.

With Zone J leaders Charlemont High (16) inactive today, second-place Old Harbour High (14) could take over sole leadership of the group with a win against McGrath, which they defeat 4-2 in the first round.

In the other group game, struggling Bog Walk (5) and Dinthill Technical (9) will both be seeking to put their respective campaigns back on track.

Today's games

Zone G: Cross Keys vs Christiana at Cross Keys, Porus vs Spaldings at Porus Community Centre, Knox College vs Manchester at Knox

Zone H: Vere Technical vs Clarendon College at Vere, Claude McKay vs Edwin Allen at Claude McKay

Zone J: Old Harbour vs McGrath at Old Harbour, Bog Walk vs Dinthill Technical