HOLLAND, Trelawny — Spot Valley High are poised to qualify for the round of 32 in the ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup football competition, for the first time in seven years, when they take on winless Holland High in a Zone D return-round game at Holland High today, set to start at 3:30 p.m.

Spot Valley High leads the zone with 20 points, and if they can beat Holland again this season, would make progress from the first round for the first time since the 2017 season when they upset Clarendon College in the quarter-finals.

As many as seven schools can book their round-of-32 spots today, including Holmwood Technical and Titchfield High, both of who only need a draw from their play-off games against Bellefield High and St Mary Technical, respectively.

After winning a total of four games over the previous two seasons, Spot Valley High have won six so far this season — including beating William Knibb 1-0 away in Martha Brae — and are expected to win again today after beating Holland High 3-2 in their first meeting.

William Knibb are also expected to win today against Muschett High but would have to wait at least one more game to secure their spot if third-place Cedric Titus beat Discovery Bay High.

Holmwood Technical, who are in second place on 19 points, have not won in their last two games — after winning their first six — and need a point today to join leaders Christiana High from Zone G in the next round.

They could still advance without a win if Christiana beats Alphansus Davis High in their game, leaving Alphansus Davis and Bellefield High to battle for the third qualifying spot.

Titchfield High, on 16 points, could also wrap up their qualifying with a point from their game against St Mary Technical, joining Zone M leaders Port Antonio High.

In Zone J, Charlemont High on six points and in third place must beat McGrath High if they are to stay in contention.

Anything but a win for Charlemont High, who were beaten 2-0 in the first round, would see both McGrath High and Dinthill Technical, both on 11 points, take both available round-of-32 spots in Zone J.

Zone K leaders Brown’s Town High and Ocho Rios can both advance today, without kicking a ball, if third-place Marcus Garvey Technical fail to beat Ferncourt High.

Marcus Garvey Technical are on 13 points from their eight games, and anything but a win today would eliminate then from the round-of-32 contention as Brown’s Town are already on 19 points, one more than Ocho Rios High.

Meanwhile, Maldon High can inch closer to a first-ever qualification from the first round with a win over Herbert Morrison at Irwin High today if qualifiers Cornwall College beat Green Pond High in their Zone A return-round game.

Maldon High, who has finished third in Zone A only twice in their history — 2006 and 2022 — are ahead of Green Pond on goal difference, both on 15 points which is nine behind Cornwall College’s 24.

In the first round, Maldon High had edged Herbert Morrison 1-0 while Cornwall College got the better of Green Pond 5-1.

Green Pond’s chances cannot be discounted, howeve — despite the odds — as they have beaten Cornwall College as recently as during the 2022 season.

In Zone E a win for either Lacovia High or Maggotty High, both on nine points, would make things even more interesting as they would go into a three-way tie for second place with BB Coke High and St Elizabeth Technical, all on 12 points.

Maggotty High had beaten Lacovia High in their first-round meeting but the latter are coming off back-to-back wins — including a huge victory over St Elizabeth Technical — and they will be full of confidence playing at home.

Today’s Games

Maldon High vs Herbert Morrison at Irwin

Cornwall College vs Green Pond High at Cornwall College

William Knibb Memorial vs Muschett High at William Knibb

Cedric Titus High vs Discovery Bay High at Cedric Titus

Holland High vs Spot Valley High at Holland

Lacovia High vs Maggotty High at Lacovia High

Holmwood Tech vs Bellefield High at Bellefield

Alphansus Davis vs Christiana at Alphansus Davis

McGrath High vs Charlemont High at McGrath High

York Castle High vs Aabuthnott Gallimore High at York Castle

Ferncourt High vs Marcus Garvey Tech at Drax Hall

Paul Bogle High vs Morant Bay High at Morant Bay High

Yallahs High vs Happy Grove High at Yallahs High

Titchfield High vs St Mary Tech at Carder Park