Win-or-go-home games litter daCosta action today

IT’S WIN or go home for some teams when the second round of the ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup resumes today with nine matches across the island.

In the west, many-time champions Cornwall College will face an already eliminated Spot Valley, who are trying to look for their first win when they play at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay 3 p.m.

The Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore-coached Cornwall have fate in their hands, knowing that anything but three points could leave Kemps Hill and Rusea’s as the teams to move on from the group.

Cornwall, who drew with both Kemps Hill and Rusea’s, are on two points in Group 1, while the two are on four.

Whitmore will need some maturity from 14-year-old Carlando Morris, top-scorer with seven goals, captain Deshaun Talbert, and Dante Escoffery to keep them alive.

Kemps Hill, who are surprise Group 1 leaders, will face Rusea’s at Foga Road at 3 p.m.

That game creates some interesting possibilities. A draw would ensure that Kemps Hill advance as either winners or from second place, depending on the result of Cornwall’s game against Spot Valley.

Rusea’s cannot afford a draw because a Cornwall win would leave them third in the group.

Demar Sailsman, Rusea’s leading marksman with nine goals, will have to give a much better performance than he did on Saturday to lead his team to a victory.

Group 7 leaders Glenmuir advanced to the round of 16 after winning both of their games and are on six points. They will play their final game against Paul Bogle at Glenmuir playfield.

After a comeback 3-1 win over Paul Bogle on Saturday, defending champions Clarendon College are third in Group 7 and need three points when they face a winless Titchfield at the Wembley Centre of Excellence.

Paul Bogle and Clarendon are both on three points but have the tougher task of going through Glenmuir for a place in the next round.

Over in Westmoreland, an interesting matchup takes place when Manning’s face Group 3 leaders St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) at Manning’s at 3:00 p.m.

STETHS are first and tied with Manchester High on four points. Manchester will face a winless William Knibb at Manchester High School. Manchester, in their opening match last Wednesday, came out with a 1-0 over Manning’s and drew 0-0 against STETHS on Saturday.

Those results mean that any of three teams – STETHS, Manchester, and Manning’s – could go out today.

Manchester seem to face the easiest task of the three against William Knibb, a win putting them on an unassailable seven points.

The same equation is true for STETHS, but if there is a draw, they will ensure at least a second-place finish.

Manning’s are on three points and must win. If they do, they will leapfrog at least one of the teams in first and second.

Today’s matches

Cornwall College vs Spot Valley at Jarrett Park

Kemps Hill vs Rusea’s at Foga Road

Manning’s vs STETHS at The Manning’s School

Manchester vs William Knibb at Manchester High School

Clarendon College vs Titchfield at Wembley Centre of Excellence

Glenmuir vs Paul Bogle at Glenmuir High School

McGrath vs Christiana at Dinthill Technical

Holmwood vs Belair at Brooks Park

St Mary High vs Garvey Maceo at Westmoreland Oval

All games begin at 3:00 p.m.*