DaCosta big five look to take charge

WESTERN BUREAU:

The big five teams in this year's ISSA/FLOW daCosta Cup, including the defending champions St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS), are all in good stead after one game in the inter-zone round of the competition, and will feature today in a schedule of gripping importance.

STETHS, the first of the big five, will take the field against Lennon High in a match that could determine the fate of the champions with kick-off set for 3:30 p.m. in Santa Cruz.

The top-of-the-table clash is a must-win for Omar Wedderburn and his charges if they are to keep their mission alive of defending the title, while at the same time secure a place in the lucrative FLOW Super Cup competition.

Lennon lead Zone Three courtesy of a better goal difference over STETHS, after drubbing Mile Gully High 4-0 in midweek, while the champions masterminded a 1-0 result against Holmwood Technical, who will now turn their attention on Mile Gully High in the zone's other fixture.

STETHS will need a victory to avoid any disappointment. Yet the result is not as straight-forward as it may seem.

Lennon, as usual, are an impressive unit this year and showed their title credentials with a stinging win over big five team Clarendon College in the preliminary round to sweep into the inter-zone along with the former champions.

The champions are renowned for their spirited displays when it's needed the most, and all things aside, should feel confident themselves when they take the field in front of their rabidly adoring supporters.

Meanwhile, there will be real excitement in Zone One, with another top-of-the-table showdown between Petersfield High and the rampant Cornwall College, another of the title contenders. Both logged victories midweek and will be on the hunt for a win to solidify the claim of best in the zone.

Green Island High and Cedric Titus High, on the other hand, are seeking their first points, after losing 1-2 and 0-3 to Petersfield and Cornwall College, respectively.

ZONE FOUR

Elsewhere, over in Zone Four, is another high-quality matchup, as Clarendon College look to put the brakes on Spalding. Both are on three points after opening second round wins, while Lacovia High and Manchester High seek to bounce back from losses when they take on each other.

Things are interestingly poised in Zone 7, as all four teams are on a single point, but with everything on the line there should be significant change by the time the day is out. There, Glenmuir High meet Vere Technical, while Bog Walk High will tackle Seaforth High.

In Zone 8, Little London High will seek to continue to surprise when they play Paul Bogle High. The 'Londonders' were impressive in a 3-2 victory over Garvey Maceo High on Thursday.

The other game in the zone pits Kemps Hill High, 1-0 losers to Paul Bogle midweek, against the hurting Garvey Maceo.

The other two big five teams are also in action. Dinthill Technical will play away to Steer Town High while Rusea's High host St James High.

Today's matches

Cornwall College vs Petersfield

Green Island vs Cedric Titus

Rusea's vs St James

Spot Valley vs Godfrey Stewart

STETHS vs Lennon

Mile Gully vs Holmwood

Manchester vs Lacovia

Spalding vs Clarendon College

Ocho Rios vs Fair Prospect

Alston vs St Mary Tech

Port Antonio vs. Brimmervale

Steer Town vs Dinthill

Vere Tech vs Glenmuir

Bog Walk vs Seaforth

Little London vs Paul Bogle

Kemps Hill vs Garvey Maceo