Champs Garvey face must-win match

Western Bureau:

Defending champions Garvey Maceo High will encounter a must-win situation in the ISSA/Digicel daCosta Cup football competition round of 16 this afternoon when they face high-flying Manchester High School at Glenmuir High grounds.

Garvey Maceo will not only have to win but also by two clear goals to topple Manchester who are at the top of Group One with four points and a plus-one goal difference. After scoring 45 goals in 10 games, the defending champions have failed to score in their last two outings. leaving them at the foot of the four-team table with one point and a minus-one goal difference.

Manchester’s coach Johnoy Chambers said the thought of Garvey Maceo ‘throwing the kitchen sink’ at them excites him because it will only play into their hands.

“They will play right into our hands because we have some really quick players up top. If they are going to come at us with all guns blazing, then it’s going to leave a lot of space in behind. We are working on getting the team compact and wait for the chances,” Chambers said.

“We are going into the game in high spirits after Tuesday’s match where we won on the last kick,” he added.

In the other Group One game, Central High, who occupy the second qualification spot with four points, just need to avoid defeat against Christiana High at Brooks Park in Manchester. Christiana are on one point.

Also in action today are Group Two leaders William Knibb Memorial High School (six points). They will face Dinthill Technical High School at Drax Hall in St Ann. William Knibb only need a point to qualify as winners of the group while Dinthill (three points) need a win to have a chance at advancing.

Meanwhile, at Cornwall College, the hosts will be hunting a win against Paul Bogle High School for a chance at qualification. Cornwall are third on three points and will be hoping for another win against Paul Bogle and a William Knibb victory at Drax Hall.

Today’s games:

Garvey Maceo vs Manchester - Glenmuir

Christiana vs Central - Brooks Park

Dinthill vs William Knibb - Drax Hall

Cornwall College vs Paul Bogle - Cornwall

All games kick off at 3 p.m.