daCosta Cup: Clarendon giants hunt wins in round of 32

Teams from Clarendon have dominated rural schoolboy football for the past four seasons and two of the top contenders, defending daCosta Cup champions Garvey Maceo High and preseason favourites Glenmuir High, will be at home today as the round of 32 kicks off at 3 p.m.

Garvey Maceo, who topped their zone, will face Old Harbour High, the third-place team from their zone in Group 7 action. Glenmuir, second behind Garvey Maceo in Zone I, will meet Alphansus Davis High, who finished second in their zone, in Group 5.

The two Clarendon giants have had contrasting results in recent weeks. Garvey Maceo enter this stage in fine form, coming off back-to-back wins, including a 3-2 away victory over Glenmuir – avenging a 4-0 home defeat just a week earlier.

Glenmuir, on the other hand, have stumbled. Despite returning most of last year’s squad, they have gone three matches without a win, losing to Kemps Hill High and Garvey Maceo and drawing with Denbigh.

After that big win away to Glenmuir two days ago, Garvey Maceo start as heavy favourites against Old Harbour. Coach Lester Hibbert is confident but cautious.

“It’s a good feeling to be playing back at home. The vibe in the camp is great and the boys are pumped up and ready,” Hibbert said. “We’re not taking anything for granted, though. Old Harbour are a good team despite finishing third in their zone. Our guys, however, are focused and looking for a positive result. We take it step by step.”

Glenmuir, the fourth-highest scoring team this season with 47 goals, have lost their attacking touch recently. They have scored only twice in their last three games – both goals coming from captain and top marksman Orane Watson in the loss to Garvey Maceo.

Coach Andre Peart remains optimistic.

“There’s no need to panic. We know what we have, and the guys know what they can do,” he said. Peart is hoping that Watson, Orel Miller, and midfield maestro Dusting Cohen can rediscover their scoring form, starting today.

Today’s games

William Knibb vs Central

Manchester vs St Mary High

Rusea’s vs Maggotty

Mannings vs Belair

Christiana vs B.B. Coke

Paul Bogle vs Titchfield

STETHS vs Knox

Maldon vs Ferncourt

Port Antonio vs Dinthill

McGrath vs Morant Bay

Cornwall vs Kemps Hill

Cedric Titus vs Frome

Ocho Rios vs Petersfield

Glenmuir vs Alphansus Davis

Clarendon vs York Castle

Garvey Maceo vs Old Harbour