Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:

When Paul Bogle High meet St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) in a Ben Francis Knockout semi-final at 3 o'clock in Santa Cruz today, it will bring together two of the best offensive teams in this year's schoolboy football season.

Both schools rely on a slew of outstanding talent in front of goal and with a place in the final awaiting; the game is shaping up to be a sizzling affair at the STETHS grounds.

In national age group invitee Alvas Powell, scorer of 21 goals so far, Paul Bogle have one of the most deadly strikers on show and STETHS with their tight defence will do well to stop him from getting on to the score sheet.

The same can be said of Khesanio Hall, the national Under-20 player, whose tally of 17 goals leads his team.

But talk to any of the coaches and they will tell you their team is more than a striker. They have real quality all round.

A TRUE TEAM

"We have a true team and we compete in all our games to do well. Our players are aware of what is required and are ready to get the job done," a confident Omar Wedderburne said.

"They (Paul Bogle) are the best team offensively but we are strong defensively, so it's shaping up to be a real test for both teams," reasoned Wedderburne.

In 11 matches this year, STETHS, the defending Ben Francis champions, have conceded just five goals in topping the daCosta Cup zone before easing past Kemps Hill in the Ben Francis quarter-final 3-0 with the mercurial Hall accounting for a brace.

Paul Bogle, meanwhile, have been tagged with the nickname "the eight-nil team" because of their accuracy in front of goal while posting four 8-0-win margins.

Key to their exploits has been the experienced Powell, who has been irresistible in front of goal. For Paul Bogle to advance to the final they will need Powell to be at his best against the strong defence that Wedderburne has assembled at STETHS.

"They have Powell, we have a team; they have a good offence and we do too. I think it's even going into the game but in the end there will be one winner and that will be us," the STETHS coach said.