Adrian Frater, News Editor WESTERN BUREAU:
DACOSTA CUP champions, Godfrey Stewart, and their Manning Cup counterparts, Calabar, will begin their quest to become double champions of the 2005 season this afternoon when they meet in the first leg of the Olivier Shield symbol of all-island schoolboy football supremacy at Jarrett Park, starting at 3:00 p.m.
Based on their impressive form this season, which saw Godfrey Stewart upstaging Glenmuir for the rural title and Calabar turning back Norman Manley for the urban crown, today's game should produce a close and exciting contest, especially if both teams report in top form.
"We are ready. This is what we have been preparing for," said Calabar's coach David Hunt, who is hoping to lead his team to their first lien of the Olivier Shield. "We know Godfrey Stewart is a good team, but we are going out there to play our best football."
Like his Calabar counterpart, Godfrey Stewart's coach Carl Palmer is full of confidence going into today's game, although he admitted to know very little about the Calabar team and the kind of challenge they are likely to offer.
"I really don't know anything about them but I know we have a good team and are quite confident," said Palmer. "Confidence is very important when you are faced with the unknown and as the saying goes, confidence can move mountains."
NO INTIMIDATION
Unlike some coaches who would take a cautious approach and play for a draw away from home, especially against a team of the proven strength of Godfrey Stewart, Hunt said Calabar have no such plans. According to him, they are not intimidated by their opponents and will definitely be going after a win.
"We saw them on television and they appear to be a hard-tackling team but we are not worried about that," said Hunt. "We are going to Montego Bay to win. In fact, the ideal situation would be to win in Montego Bay and then win again in Kingston."
With the prolonged celebrations which followed their daCosta Cup win now behind them, coach Palmer said the Godfrey Stewart team is now fully refocused, resolute and will be ready to match the Calabar challenge.
"Our plan is start out by winning in Montego Bay and then moving on to Kingston for another win," said coach Palmer, who is a former St. Elizabeth Technical High School star striker. "Personally, I like the feeling that winning brings and I am sure the players like it too."
In terms of their composition, the Calabar team is blessed with an abundance of good talent although coach Hunt was quick to point out that his team is more about a cohesive unit than any form of individuality.
STRONG IN ALL DEPARTMENTS
Nonetheless, his victory bid should revolve around skipper and sweeper Robert Palmer, Marlon Smith, Shane Bygrave, Lennox Creary, the speedy Cleyon Brown and the skilful Ramone Palmer.
For their part, Godfrey Stewart have proven to be quite strong in all departments, especially their defence which is marshalled by the no-nonsense Dwayne Williams. Mid-fielders Donald Hewitt Jr. and Dwayne Forrester and strikers Josimar Crooks and Ryan Smith are also expected to figure prominently.
Based on their familiarity with the Jarrett Park surface, where they have not lost all season, Godfrey Stewart should see this as an advantage. However, Calabar are unperturbed about their opponents' history at the venue and will seek an advantage through its desire to claim a landmark lien on the title.
