Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

With the competition now on in earnest and the race for top honours taking shape in the 12 competing zones, the focus in the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup will switch to Zone A this afternoon, where the three main contenders for group honours will be on the hunt for maximum points.

The group leaders, unbeaten St James High, fresh from their impressive 4-0 thumping of the previously unbeaten Irwin High on Saturday, will face struggling newcomers Green Pond, who are having a torrid debut season, failing to secure a win after six games.

In a game that should be closely watched, former champions Cornwall College, which suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Irwin last Thursday but rebounded with a 2-1 win against former champions Herbert Morrison on Saturday, will face a somewhat tricky assignment against Spot Valley, clearly the better of the group's two newcomers.

Irwin High, smarting from losing their unbeaten record in such an embarrassing way to St James High, should be gunning for both points and pride when they entertain a Herbert Morrison team which has been floundering.

The day's round of matches will be completed by a rescheduled Zone G fixture between Edwin Allen High and Knox College, who were initially slated to play on Wednesday, September 17, but the game was rained out. In their last outing on Saturday, the Knox College team suffered a 2-0 loss to Spalding while Edwin Allen had a 3-1 win against Mile Gully.

Dismal record

Looking to today's Zone A game between St James High and Green Pond, the margin of victory for St James appear to supersede all other considerations as their opponents' dismal record of having accumulated a mere three points from five games - three draws and two defeats - does not inspire confidence.

"Our schedule has been quite hectic with back to back games on Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and now on Monday, but the players have been coping quite well," said Pastor Hugh Solomon, St James' coach. "We are looking to continue our good form against Green Pond."

With top players Allan Ottey, Ajohn Barker, skipper Fabian MaCarthy and striker Nicholi Barrett all in pretty good form, Pastor Solomon could well see his team significantly improving both their 13-goal and 11-point tallies.

The Cornwall College matchup against Spot Valley could be quite tricky as while Spot Valley are yet to win a game, they looked good while holding Irwin to a 1-1 draw, among other encouraging performances.

However, if Cornwall College's wily left winger Mikhail Weatherley reports in top form, it could be a miserable afternoon for Spot Valley.

Zone A

Green Pond vs St James High at Green Pond

Spot Valey vs Cornwall College at Spot Valley

Irwin High vs Herbert Morrison at Irwin

Zone G

Edwin Allen vs Knox at Edwin Allen

today's games