Momentum, recovery the second-round watchwords

Frome Technical will look to build on their strong start to the second round of the ISSA daCosta Cup when they host Holmwood Technical at Frome today, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Frome head coach Cleighton Stephens believes home advantage will be crucial as his team seeks to build confidence and cohesion during its second-round campaign.

“These home games are very important. That’s why we really wanted to top the zone and get three home games because of the importance. Winning our first game boosted our confidence. It is good for our boys because we are more comfortable now,” said Stephens.

Frome opened the round with a 1-0 victory over Irwin High and will be aiming to maintain that momentum.

Stephens said the team had benefited from adequate time to rest and prepare for today’s contest.

“The boys are eager to play today. We got enough days to rest, recover and prepare, so that is a plus for us,” he added.

Holmwood, meanwhile, will be hoping to rebound from an opening-round defeat after going down 2-1 to Munro College at home. The Manchester-based school will need an improved performance to get its campaign back on track.

In another second-round contest in Manchester, Mile Gully High will host Kemps Hill High at the Mile Gully Community Centre, also at 3:30 p.m.

Kemps Hill head coach Kiegon Mitchell said persistent rainfall had disrupted the team’s preparations, limiting them to just one training session since their previous match.

“Preparations are going good, it’s just that the weather not giving us enough time to train. Since Thursday, we only had one training session, which was yesterday morning, because of the rain,” said Mitchell.

However, Mitchell is refusing to use the conditions as an excuse, acknowledging that several teams have been affected by the wet weather.

“I won’t complain because all of the teams, or a majority of the teams, are experiencing this type of rainy weather. I guess I’m not the only team that will be affected, but I won’t use that as an excuse. It’s just for us to work on our strengths and take it into the next game,” he added.

Both teams made winning starts to the second round. Mile Gully defeated St Mary High 2-0, while Kemps Hill also secured a 2-0 victory over Knox College in their respective opening matches.

With both teams eager to maintain their unbeaten second-round starts, today’s encounter presents an opportunity to strengthen their positions in the race for qualification to the next round.

All eight daCosta Cup matches are scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.

Today’s games

Maggotty vs Irwin at Lacovia Community Centre

Manning’s vs Brown’s Town at Manning’s

Old Harbour vs Ferncourt at Linval Dixon Oval

Garvey Maceo vs St Mary at Garvey Maceo

Mile Gully vs Kemps Hill at Mile Gully Community Centre

Christiana High vs Edwin Allen at Kirkvine Sports Club

Frome vs Holmwood at Frome

Porus vs Lennon at Porus

All games begin at 3:30 p.m.