Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

With Saturday's opening games now out of the way, the 2008 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup will see multiple action this afternoon with a total of six games in the competition's Zone A and Zone K, starting at 3:30 p.m.

In Zone A, where Cornwall College and St James High battled to an exciting draw in one of Saturday's opening games, former champions Herbert Morrison will bow into action with a home assignment against Maldon, while newcomers Green Pond will be playing away to Irwin High.

Games

Over in Zone K, Islington will be at home to Iona, Brimmervale will play away to Tacky, Annotto Bay will be at home to St Mary High and St Mary Technical will play away to Oracabessa.

While all the games should be keenly watched, the Zone A match-up between Herbert Morrison and Maldon should generate special interest, in light of the excellent early form showed by their main zone rivals - Cornwall College and St James High - in their game on Saturday.

On Saturday, Cornwall College quelled the early pressure of St James High and took a 20th-minute lead through Kenrick Kirlew, making the half-time score 1-0. After missing an early second-half penalty, St James drew level in the 83rd minute when Ajohn Barker toe-poked from Nicholi Barrett past the goalkeeper, making the final score 1-1.

Kept focus

"I would have been happier with a win, but I was very encouraged by the performance of the team as, despite missing a penalty, we never lost our focus," said Pastor Hugh Solomon, the coach of St James High. "Once we settle, we should be getting some very good results."

Prior to the Cornwall College-St James High game, defending champions Edwin Allen started their title defence with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Zone I counterparts Kemps Hill. The winning goal came courtesy of a late penalty from the boot of Derron McLeod.

The competition, which initially had 83 teams down to compete, has been reduced to 79, with the withdrawal of William Knibb High from Zone A, Little London High from Zone C, Holland High from Zone D and Kellits High from Zone H.

Saturday results

Zone A

Cornwall vs St James High 1-1

Zone I

Garvey Maceo vs Kemps Hill 1-0

Today's games

Zone A

Herbert Morrison vs Maldon at Bogue

Irwin vs Green Pond at Irwin Grounds

Zone K

Islington vs Iona at Rio Nuevo

Tacky vs Brimmervale at Tacky

Annotto Bay vs St Mary High at Westmoreland Oval

Oracabessa vs St Mary Technical at Eden Park