Champs Clarendon in group of death

Western Bureau:

Champions Clarendon College have been drawn alongside three former winners in a very tough quarter-final round group in this year's ISSA-FLOW daCosta Cup football competition.

The champions have been grouped with Glenmuir High, Rusea's High, and Dinthill Technical. All three have been doing well. They each topped their respective zones in the first round, and then eased past quality opposition in the inter-zone round.

Except for the 'Russians' who had to overcome a do-or-die situation in the final inter-zone match on Tuesday, which they ultimately did with utmost ease, (7-1 victory over Herbert Morrison), this may well prove the group of death.

Clarendon's first match in the round will be against a free-scoring Dinthill team. This game will be at the Juici Field at Clarendon Park, with kick-off slated for 3 p.m.

Former winners and defending Ben Francis champions St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) are drawn to face Marcus Garvey High, The Mannings School, and Vere Technical in Group R.

The Omar Wedderburn-coached institution has not yet hit top gear. They, however, have shown good form in at least three matches and must now produce consistent performances to move even deeper into the business end of the competition.

While STETHS have yet to look their best, for the most part, Manchester High, with the respected Donovan Duckie as coach, have been outstanding. Their only blemish, 0-1 loss to Clarendon, has been put firmly behind.

Since then, they have gone on to defeat all others, including a very good Munro side 4-1 on Tuesday to advance and now they are focused on topping a strong Group P that include St James High, perennial contenders Paul Bogle High, and Lacovia.

This Lacovia team has been improving with every game and could spoil the Manchester party when they meet on Wednesday, October 28, at the STETHS field in Santa Cruz.

Meanwhile, surprise package Petersfield High must get the better of Port Antonio, Lennon, and Seaforth High in order to keep their campaign on track.

Their historic victory on Tuesday against Cornwall College, according to their assistant coach, Dwayne Forrester, is 'like a dose of vitamin' and could serve to inject even more confidence into a bunch of players, who appear fearless in the face of strong opposition.

They first tackle Seaforth High at the Frome Sports Complex and will start as favourites for the win.

Groups

Group P: St James High, Paul Bogle High, Manchester High, Lacovia High

Group Q: Port Antonio High, Petersfield High, Lennon High, Seaforth High

Group R: Marcus Garvey High, Mannings School, STETHS, Vere Tech.

Group S: Clarendon College, Glenmuir High, Rusea's High, Dinthill Tech.

Quarter-final schedule

Tuesday, October 27

- Lennon vs. Port Antonio at Juici Field

Wednesday October 28

- Lacovia vs Manchester at St Elizabeth Tech

- Paul Bogle vs St James at York Oval

- Petersfield vs Seaforth at Frome Sports Complex

- Vere vs Mannings at Wembley Comm. Field

- Marcus Garvey vs STETHS at Drax Hall

- Clarendon College vs Dinthill at Juici Field

- Rusea's vs Glenmuir at Jarrett Park

All matches kick off at 3 p.m.