Innswood, Norman Manley to lock horns in crucial Zone E encounter
Published:Friday | October 6, 2023 | 12:10 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
ACTION in the 2023 ISSA/Manning Cup competition continues today with several interesting match-ups. One of those crucial encounters will involve the pair of Innswood High and former champions Norman Manley High in what should be a tough Zone E fixture.
Innswood, who are currently fourth on six points in the group are riding high on a two-match winning streak after a tough start to their campaign which saw them losing their first two fixtures against top-of-the-table Mona High and second-place St Catherine High. Jerome Francis, head coach of Innswood, shared that while he’s aware that nerves might play a factor, the confidence factor is high as the team goes in search of the maximum three points.
“It’s very important at this point, my boys will be nervous especially playing at home with all their families watching, so to get these three points will be a dream for them. The confidence level right now is through the roof because after our first couple of games against Mona and St Catherine the team was down and I had to get them back mentally and toughen them up,” he stated.
Coach Francis added that his sole concentration at the moment is to grab all three points on offer.
“What I always try to reiterate to my boys is that we take it one match at a time and then take it from there as I know I have a good squad,” he added.
After losing their opening fixture to Mona, Norman Manley have gone on a three-game win streak of their own and head coach Shane-Michael Gage, like his opponent, is eyeing the maximum points.
“Based on our position we can only rely on winning our games and that’s our only objective as it’s very important and crucial. For us we always put God first as the Bible says faith without works is dead. We plan to put in the work, be focused and remember our philosophy which is to do what we have practised,” Gage explained.
Today’s games
Innswood vs Norman Manley (Chedwin Park)
Dunoon vs Greater Portmore (Excelsior)
Papine vs Wolmer’s Boys’ (Papine)
Vauxhall vs Donald Quarrie (Vauxhall)
Tivoli vs Meadowbrook (Tivoli)
Bridgeport vs Cedar Grove (Dunbeholden)
STATHS vs Clan Carthy (Boys’ Town Field)
Tarrant vs Excelsior (Tarrant)
Jose Marti vs Campion (Jose Marti)
Waterford vs St. George’s College (Waterford)