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Manchester, Dinthill hunt final berth

Published:Thursday | November 26, 2015 | 12:00 AMPaul Clarke
Kamar Whyte (right) of Manchester High in action against Clarendon College’s Romario Squire in a daCosta Cup Inter-Zone round match last month.

Western Bureau:

Donovan Duckie, the head coach of Manchester High, was left bitterly disappointed after last week's Ben Francis KO final loss to St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS), but he must now refocus his players for this afternoon's daCosta Cup semi-final against Dinthill Technical.

The game will be played at the Juici Field in Clarendon with kick-off set for 2:30 p.m., and this time, Duckie, along with his band of players, will want a more favourable result, one that will put them in the December 5 final against either STETHS or Lennon High, who meet tomorrow at the same venue.

Manchester did not have the best of days in the knockout final and will want to put that right to reach the prestigious daCosta Cup final. But in order to get there, the likes of Duhaney Williams, the man who netted their only goal against STETHS in that final loss, must come to life. So, too, must Romaine Walsh and Jarious Mattis.

 

DEFENSIVE LINE

 

Their big centre half and team captain, Bobeto Stewart, along with his entire defence line, must be able to keep Dinthill's attacking force at bay.

Dinthill have Rodave Murray, a talented forward-minded midfielder, in their ranks. He is capable of creating serious problems for any defence. So, too, are Jahbari Ranger and Antoine Rhule.

The Linstead-based school is keen on keeping their dream of lifting a first daCosta Cup for the first time since doing so in 1981, by getting the better of Duckie's Manchester High in what is a high-stakes clash.

The last time Manchester reached the championship game, they lost to STETHS, and that was back in 2013, but this time around, Manchester will be hoping to not only get past Dinthill but to win a first-ever daCosta Cup title.