Frome, Camperdown lock horns

Frome Technical High School head coach Aaron Lawrence says not much is expected of his team this season, despite their strong performances in the ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup this season.

He is happy with that as he believes it gives his team more freedom to try and claim the double of the daCosta Cup and Champions Cup this season. But first he must get by Camperdown High School in the latter competition at the Montego Bay Sports Complex at 4 p.m.

"Less pressure should be on us," he told The Gleaner. "Probably some would think that we are the underdogs and we're looking forward to it. We're happy to take our time and get the job done game by game."

No rural team has won the all island in its four years as Jamaica College, St George's College, Wolmer's Boys and Kingston College have all been crowned winners but Lawrence said this does not bother him as it puts more pressure on them to keep this dominance going.

 

C'Down Quality

 

However, he is aware of the quality of the Manning Cup teams, including Camperdown.

"I know little about them but Kingston teams always have quality," he said.

"We never take any team lightly and we'll look at them and see how we can go about beating them and how we can put on a good show for western Jamaica football fans."

Camperdown's head coach Christopher Bender is also confident ahead of this game, despite missing key players.

"We expect a good showing from Frome," he said. "To reach the semi-final in the daCosta Cup means you're playing well, so we expect a good showing."

Camperdown had enjoyed a good campaign in the Manning Cup this season but went out at the quarter final stage.

Bender said that it was initially difficult to lift the team after their exit but they are in good spirits again, and are focused on trying to end the season with silverware.

"Part of my job is about the psychological aspect of the team," he said. "It's not about training now.

Bender said key players Jamari Francis and Lotteam Speid are doubtful for today's game but he will not let their absence affect his strategy much.

Today's Champions Cup fixtures:

- STATHS vs Manchester High  at STETHS 4 p.m.

- Clarendon College vs Charlie Smith at STETHS 6 p.m.

- Camperdown vs Frome at Montego Bay Sports Complex 4 p.m.

- Cornwall College vs Wolmers at Montego Bay Sports Complex 6 p.m.

- Dinthill vs Holy Trinity at Stadium East field 4 p.m.

- JC v Mile Gully at Stadium East field 6 p.m.