Edwin Allen look to breach Dinthill defence today
Published:Friday | December 17, 2021 | 12:07 AMKavarly Arnold/Gleaner Writer -
Western Bureau:
Two of the semi-finalists for the ISSA DaCosta Cup football competition will be decided today with four final-round matches in two of the four quarter-final groups. The marquee game sees Dinthill Technical High School facing Edwin Allen High School at Manchester High School, where they both recorded victories earlier this week.
Dinthill and Edwin Allen both have six points, with the St Catherine-based school possessing the advantage on goal difference.
In the group’s other game, William Knibb Memorial High School and Christiana High School, who are yet to get off the mark in the group and out of contention for the semis, will battle for third place and qualification to the Ben Francis Cup. That match takes place at Drax Hall in St Ann at 3 p.m.
Dinthill head coach O'neil Thomas said, regardless of the opposition, they won't change their approach. He also expressed confidence in his defensive unit, which has conceded no goals so far this season.
“We are not changing our approach, coming with the same possession, sharpness and positive attitude. The plan we started the season with is expected to be consistent to the end,” Thomas said. “I can’t doubt my backline. As a matter of fact, it's not the backline alone defending, it's the entire team. The entire team defending with discipline, as we always do, is what brought us here throughout the season. We are not looking at how the opposition is because we know it’s the team that shows up that will win, and that is why we have to be consistent.”
Edwin Allen’s coach Tafari Burton said his team will be out to silence the doubters who think they won’t be able to score on a Dinthill defence that seems impenetrable.
“To win a game, you have to score and, if a team hasn't conceded a goal as yet, it doesn't mean they are impenetrable. Our objective is to do that (score). So they will have to show me the brick wall that they are going to put up,” Burton said.
“This Dinthill game draws enthusiasm and my boys are just looking to go out there and have some fun. We are very focused and committed to the task at hand.”
Mannings School faces Munro College in the 3 p.m. kick-off at the St Elizabeth Technical High School Sports Complex today. After two wins in their opening games, Mannings sit atop the four-team table with six points, two clear of Munro.
Happy Grove High School (one point) and Vere Technical High School (no points) will feature in the first game of the double-header at 1 p.m.