CHRISTIANA, Manchester — Holmwood Technical and Christiana High will meet in a Zone G top-of-the-table clash at Christiana High, in one of several crucial games scheduled today, as the first round of the ISSA/LIME daCosta Cup football competition comes to a close.

Both teams are tied at the top of the zone, on seven points from three games each, with Holmwood Technical just marginally ahead on goal difference. The match-up will be the first meaningful one between the two schools in years, as Holmwood try to dig themselves out of a long period of mediocrity.

Meanwhile, Port Antonio High extended their winning start to three straight games yesterday, blanking Fair Prospect 4-0 to move into first place in Zone L ahead of Happy Grove, who were beaten 2-1 by Titchfield.

Daniel Roberts, Devonte Davidson, Javoy Belnavis, and Travis Thompson were the scorers for Port Antonio, who are now on nine points, while Happy Grove stayed in second on goal difference ahead of Titchfield.

Joel Green-Burke and Everton Dennis scored for Titchfield in their second win.

Thirty-two games are down to be played in 14 of the 15 zones today, which will also see interesting clashes between the unbeaten Grange Hill and Manning’s, Cedric Titus and York Castle, as well as Brimmervale and St Mary High.

Defending champions Glenmuir High will play a competitive game for the first time in 11 days when they travel to Bustamante High, who are coming off an opening game win over Denbigh on Saturday.

Zone M appears wide open this season, and despite Bustamante’s confidence, history will be against them as they have managed but a single goal against Glenmuir in 10 games dating back to the 2003 season when they made their debut. They have been outscored 66-1 over that same span.

The games between Christiana and Holmwood have been closer but Christiana have held the edge over Holmwood, who last beat them in the 2009 season and have not advanced to the Inter-zone round since the 2007 season.

Either school must win today, as anything else could see them drop as far as third, as third-placed Spalding, on five points, will host Knox College. A win for Spalding could see them move up to at least second and possible top after today’s round of matches.

Despite Grange Hill being unbeaten so far and leading Manning’s School by five points in Zone D, today’s game at Manning’s is excepted to be anything but a walk-over.