Denbigh have one more giant to kill

After emerging as the giant-killers of rural schoolboy football this season with impressive away victories over more fancied opponents, Denbigh High will need another giant-killing performance today if they are to advance to the round of 16.

The Garfield Carney-coached team, on seven points, face a must-win encounter against Group Three leaders Kemps Hill at the Wembley of Excellence Centre at 3 p.m.

Denbigh were level on seven points with Kemps Hill and Garvey Maceo heading into last Saturday’s penultimate round of matches. However, they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to bottom-placed St Mary High at the Highgate Community Centre, leaving their hopes of advancing hanging in the balance.

Kemps Hill, who were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by St Mary High, rebounded with a 2-0 victory over Garvey Maceo.

Garvey Maceo, also on seven points and sitting second in the group, will be aiming to move to 10 points when they host Mile Gully, who are coming off a loss to Knox College.

Denbigh have already secured a place in the Champions Cup after advancing to the Ben Francis Cup semi-finals, but another disappointing result today could bring their daCosta Cup campaign to an end.

The top two teams in each group, along with the four best third-placed teams across the six groups, will advance to the round of 16.

Denbigh’s fate will depend not only on their performance against Kemps Hill, but also on results elsewhere involving teams chasing qualification.

Several teams in other groups are on six points and appear to have easier opponents in their final matches. Victories could take those teams to nine points, while draws or defeats elsewhere could improve Denbigh’s chances of securing one of the four best third-place spots.

For Carney and his players, the task is straightforward: produce another big performance against the group leaders and keep their hopes of advancing alive.