Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Champions Godfrey Stewart High School will be gunning to make a winning start to their 2006 ISSA/Pepsi/JN daCosta Cup campaign this afternoon when they square off with Zone C rivals and parish neighbours Manning's in the competition's opening game at Jarrett Park, in Montego Bay, starting at 4:00 p.m.

Based on their extensive pre- season preparation, which included the recent four-team Manning's One-Day Tournament for the Howard Jackson Trophy, both teams should be entering the game flush with confidence. It should be noted that in their three meetings last year, all the games ended in draws.

With 11 members of last year's squad, inclusive of five members of the winning team, Godfrey Stewart's coach Carl 'Long Life' Palmer thinks the current team, based on its depth, quality, and the success they have had in practice games, has what it takes, to not only retain the daCosta Cup, but to win the Olivier Shield, symbol of all-island schoolboy football supremacy, as well.

Pre-season preparation

"Our pre-season preparation has been quite good as we are yet to lose against any schoolboy team," said coach Palmer, who team won the Manning's Tournament, which also featured Glenmuir, Manning's and Rusea's High School. "The new members of the team have fitted in well and were confident and ready." Manning's, which created history last year by reaching the daCosta Cup semi-finals for the first time, have retained over half of that team and with their pre-season preparation yielding fairly decent results from their practice game, coach Hopeton Gilchrist is already looking past another semi-final finish.

"Having done so well last year, I know we will be coming under a certain amount of pressure because the expectation level will be quite high among our supporters," said Gilchrist. "However, the players know what is expected on them and I fully expect them to measure up."

While Godfrey Stewart should miss the defensive capabilities and leadership of former captain Damion Williams and the attacking thrust of former top striker Josimar Crooks, coach Palmer believes that new captain, Davian Thorpe, and experienced veterans such as Garfield Green, Ricardo Rickettes, Marvin Daley and Evan Taylor should be able to take up the mantle and guide the new players.

New players

"The new players are fitting in well and I expect them to benefit from the leadership of the veteran players," said Palmer, who guided the Godfrey Stewart team unbeaten through the 2004 season before winning last year. "What I like about this team is that we are scoring a lot of goals and not giving up many."

Manning's should severely miss last year's goalkeeper Dwayne Kerr, who served them brilliantly. They are hoping that assistant coach, former national goalkeeper Aaron Lawrence, will be able to groom a suitable replacement. In addition, with top players, national Under-17 representative Drian McNain and the gifted Craig Foster to lead their charge, the camp is now bubbling with confidence.

"Except for Kerr (Dwayne), we have our entire defensive unit from last year, so naturally, we are quite confident," said Gilchrist. "We know that there are a lot of good teams out there waiting for us but we don't feel intimidated in any way."

This year's daCosta Cup will feature 63 teams divided in 12 zones. The tournament will be without perennial contenders such as Merlene Ottey, Little London, Brown's Town, Ferncourt, York Castle, Bustamante High, Annotto Bay and St. Mary Technical. The new entrants are Paul Bogle High School.