Clarendon, Glenmuir on verge of daCosta semi
Defending champions Clarendon College and former winners Glenmuir High School could book the first two semi-final spots in the ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup football competition if they can score back-to-back wins in their quarter-final games today.
After winning their first quarter-final games on Wednesday, Clarendon College and Glenmuir could secure the semi-final spots from Group A if they can beat Manchester High and Christiana High, respectively, today.
Two other former winners, Garvey Maceo High and Dinthill Technical, will clash atop Group B at the Ewarton Sports Complex, both coming off wins over BB Coke High and Cornwall College, respectively, on Wednesday.
BB Coke and Cornwall College will meanwhile seek to get back on course for a semi-final place when they meet at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.
Clarendon College will be on a high after brushing past Christiana High and faces a Manchester High team that will be desperate for even a point after losing to Glenmuir High on Wednesday. This is their second loss in three games after winning their first 13 games in a row.
Manchester High’s Coach Patrick Graham admitted on Wednesday they gave Glenmuir High “too much space in the midfield” and no doubt they will hope to make adjustments today.
A number of Clarendon College players will be playing their third season in the competition and their experience could make a difference today.
Despite dominating the possession and scoring chances on Wednesday, Glenmuir High only managed to sparkle in front of the goal early in the second half when they scored two goals in a five-minute span.
The game was all but over by then however and Coach Andrew Peart made full use of his bench, giving his starters rest before today’s crucial game.
Christiana High were impressive in knocking out former champions Rusea’s High in the second round and then winning two games in the previous round but could be facing an uphill task today against a disciplined Glenmuir High team who were winning their first quarter-final game since 2014 and will be seeking to get back to the semi-final for the first time in nine seasons.
The stakes will be high at the Ewarton Sports Complex where neither team can afford to lose and where a win could see them through depending on the result at Jarrett Park.
Neither Dinthill Technical nor Garvey Maceo High have lost a game so far this season and both will be hoping to extend that record after today’s game.
Dinthill Technical will hope their familiarity with the field at Ewarton Sports Complex will give them the edge, especially after their win against Cornwall College on Wednesday.
Both Cornwall College and BB Coke will be desperate for three points after losing on Wednesday and must rebound if they will maintain any hopes of remaining in the competition.
Cornwall College have lost three of their last five games but led Clarendon College late into their game last week before settling for a draw and also beat a stubborn Mile Gully team, also at Jarrett Park.
BB Coke’s loss snapped a five games winning run and were the only team with a perfect win record in the Round of 16 and will hope to claim another ‘big scalp’ today.