By Paul A. Reid, Senior Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
THREE SCHOOLS, including first time quarter-finalists Grange Hill Comprehensive and Old Harbour High, will be seeking to secure a semi-final spot in the Pepsi/Sports Plus daCosta Cup when the second set of quarter-final matches continue today.
Grange Hill and Old Harbour, who will meet in the featured game in Group 2 at St. Elizabeth Technical in Santa Cruz, and Munro College, who lead Group One, won their opening games on Saturday and have the edge.
Two of the four teams from each of the two groups will advance to the semi-finals of the daCosta Cup set for November 16 and also the semi-finals of the Ben Francis Knockout four days later.
Grange Hill and Old Harbour are on three points each and a winner of that game would extend its tenure in the competition.
The other teams, St. Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) and William Knibb Memorial will be forced to go for a win in their meeting at Black River to keep their hopes of advancing alive. A draw would all but eliminate either school's semi-final hopes.
Munro lead their group following a 1-0 win over Titchfield while Rusea's High and Garvey Maceo Comprehensive played to a 0-0 draw.
Grange Hill have been the discovery of this season and could force their way into the top four.
The Stephen Smith-coached team has won four in a row with a clean sweep of the inter-zone games and if they were not taken seriously before, they must have now opened some eyes.
Along the way they have claimed some big scalps including former winners Rusea's in the regular season and STETHS on Saturday. Martin Williams has emerged as their top scorer and leader of the attack but Owen Warren and Andre Ferguson have proved they can deliver the goals when called upon.
Old Harbour also come in with an impressive resume and should not be taken lightly. Led by national Under-20 striker Carlington Smith, who scored twice against William Knibb on Saturday to bring his tally to 14 for the season, and Fashinuron Nesbeth, the St. Catherine school will have plans of claiming one of the places in the top four.
Old Habour's captain and sweeper Richard Johnson will have the task of trying to contain the Grange Hill team while Oriane Biggs and Durran Myton will patrol the midfield.
Munro, finalists two seasons ago, are quietly going through the season but another win today would make them difficult to ignore. They will be coming up against a tough Garvey Maceo team which will be led by national Under-17 midfielder Seon Givans who dominated against Rusea's on Saturday. The Munro defence could have a long day trying to contain Givans, captain Jevaughn Watson and Jeffrey Nichols.
Rusea's have stepped up the level of their play since the start of the inter-zone round and are being touted in some quarters as at least finalists.
Today they have to score a win to stay in contention however and after being held without a goal for the first time in nearly 10 matches, will be on the hunt from the first whistle.
Captain and midfielder Ricardo Collins and striker Kevin Bryan both had an off day on Saturday and were replaced but will be gunning to put that behind them today. Dwayne Jumpp and Marlon Sommerville will also be hoping to help give the Anthony 'Follies' Williams-coached team their first win in the quarter-final round.
After losing their first game of the season on Saturday, Titchfield cannot afford another loss and will be hoping to take full advantage of playing close to home.
The game at Black River will be crucial for both teams, as they must win to maintain any hopes of advancing to the top four. William Knibb have struggled late in the season and have not put together back-to-back good games but could spring a surprise today.
Coach Paul 'Tegat' Davis will be hoping striker partners Delroy Ellis and Ricardo Geddes can come good today and provide the goals that will lead to a win. STETHS have been consistent through the season and will have the advantage playing just miles from their home base.
