Last semi-final spot up for grabs in daCosta Cup

Western Bureau:

The fourth and last semi-finalists for the ISSA-daCosta Cup football competition will be decided this afternoon with two rescheduled Group Four quarter-final round matches set to kick off at 3 o'clock.

Twelve-time champions Cornwall College will battle Manchester High at Green Pond High School in St James while Clarendon College, whose players have recovered from a stomach bug that forced the postponement of the games at the weekend, will face McGrath High at STETHS Sports Complex.

Clarendon sit atop the group with six points and will go into the fixtures with less pressure as they are three points clear of Manchester and Cornwall. While points are in their favour they can't afford to, however, slip up and lose to a team that has not won any of their two games in this round as Montego Bay-based Cornwall boast a plus four-goal difference to their plus three.

Cornwall are quite aware of what they need to do and, while it is unlikely, will be hoping that McGrath can surprise the defending champions who may not have fully recovered from their recent illness.

Warren Barrett, assistant coach of Cornwall, said they are going for the win and see where it takes them.

"The mindset is always to win. We have to be positive as there are also spots for other competitions up for grabs. We are going to give it a go and see what happens," Barrett said.

Coach of Manchester, Vassell Reynolds, said they can't afford another slow start in a game they not only need to win but also dominate to give themselves the best chance.

"Mathematically, we still have a chance so we are going down to Green Pond to give of our best. Hopefully, we can get the desired result against Cornwall College. It's going to be a tough one but I think the team is capable," Reynolds said.

"I think we have to nullify their midfield. It's a young but technically gifted team. They are obviously not the Cornwall we are accustomed to but are a capable team. We have to dominate midfield and get a good start, playing well as a team," he added.