McGrath’s Thomas confident about final-eight possibility

HEAD COACH of McGrath High School, Jermaine Thomas, is superconfident going into today’s round of 16 ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup encounter against Manchester High at Dinthill Technical in their Group 4 clash.

Second on goal difference in their group behind leaders Central High School following their 3-2 win over Denbigh in their opening match last Saturday at the same venue, Thomas is confident against a team who was beaten 3-1 by Central in their opening game at Foga Road.

“It is going to be a very important game for us. Getting three more points in this home encounter, we will be closer to the final eight,” said Thomas.

“We want these three points but football is played on the day and it takes a high level of concentration to repeat the correct things over and over in order to get the desired result. We respect our opponents but our guys are ready and raring to go, as they are very confident,” said Thomas.

The St Catherine-based team have gone unbeaten all season, scoring 41 goals from 10 games and conceding 11. A win today could see them booking their place in the quarter-final round.

Leaders of the group, Central, will also be going for maximum points when they meet Denbigh at the Wembley Centre of Excellence in a Clarendon derby.

Both teams will be meeting for the third time this season, and coach of Denbigh, Garfield Carney, is hoping to get off the mark after defeat to McGrath in their opening game.

“The objective is to get three points and kickstart our campaign in the round of 16. We have played them twice this season where we have a win and a draw. We know about their system and style and we will be hoping to exploit what weaknesses they have, and the coaching staff and players are confident of a win,” said Carney.

Three other games will be on today, with Glenmuir at home to Ocho Rios in a massive Zone 3 encounter. The St Ann team, after a 5-0 away win over Happy Grove, is slightly ahead of their opponents on goal difference. Glenmuir got the better of Dinthill 4-0 in their opening encounter.

In Zone 2, leaders Munro, with three points, are at home to defending champions Clarendon, who are on one point.

The other encounter will see pointless Cornwall College up against Frome Technical, who are also on a point.

Glenmuir vs Ocho Rios at Glenmuir

Munro vs Clarendon College at Munro

Cornwall vs Frome at Jarrett Park

Denbigh vs Central at Wembley

McGrath vs Manchester at Dinthill

All games begin at 3 p.m.