CCs face off again

Western Bureau:

Clarendon College have a score to settle against Cornwall College and they will have no bigger chance to do so than when they battle each other for a spot in the final of the 2016 ISSA-FLOW daCosta Cup this afternoon at the St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) Sports Ground at 2:30 p.m.

The last time these two teams met, the Chapleton-based Clarendon College were on the losing end of a six-goal thriller, going down 4-2 to Cornwall College at the semi-final stage of the FLOW Super Cup earlier in the month.

And just like their first clash, this one is expected to be another humdinger between two of the daCosta Cup's most prolific teams this year.

The Dr Dean Weatherly-coached Cornwall College, although having to deal with two consecutive losses in recent weeks, should feel comfortable on the STETHS grounds against their rivals.

This will be a play-to-the-very-end matchup, with both teams giving it one hundred per cent to land a date in the final.

"We are always ready to play good football. We have had some issues in recent days but those are behind us. We have proven that we are a mature bunch of players," stated Weatherly.

"The win in the Super Cup was a good yardstick, but that's done and over with. This will be a different ball game, but we are up for the challenge," the Cornwall coach emphasised.

And a challenge it will be indeed. Their best player going forward, Peter-Lee Vassell, has been carrying a leg injury. How ready he will be for this crucial match is unknown, while the rigours of a long season are beginning to show on their leading goal scorer, Jourdaine Fletcher.

Fletcher, in particular, looked off colour in the Ben Francis Cup semi-final loss to Lennon High.

The Clarendon College aggregation could counter with their highly rated team captain Creggton Charlton, leading the charge, along with the talented Shemar Hunter. The pair was on target against Cornwall in the Super Cup.

Clarendon College goalkeeper Benjamin Williams could, however, be in for a busy day should Fletcher, who has benefited from a full week's rest, find his best form today.

Both schools boast significant pedigree in the daCosta Cup, with Cornwall being the most successful of the lot, with eleven titles. Clarendon College are six-time winners of the trophy.

The last time Cornwall College reached the final they emerged champions back in 2001. Clarendon, meanwhile, last reached the final in 2014, where they defeated STETHS.

The other semi-final will be played tomorrow at the Manchester High School grounds and pits the defending champions STETHS against high-flying Lennon High School who ended STETHS' reign as Ben Francis Cup winners one week ago at the same venue.