Squad rotation key as Wolmer’s face Calabar test

When Wolmer’s Boys take to the field to face Calabar High today in Group A action of the Manning Cup quarterfinal round, head coach Haron Martin is well aware it will be their third match in five games amid a hectic schedule of games.

Wolmer’s will face Calabar at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium at 2:30 p.m. in the first game of a double-header.

In the feature game at 4:35 p.m., defending Manning Cup champions Excelsior High will take on Eltham High.

Wolmer’s will be playing their third match this week after facing Excelsior on Tuesday and Kingston Technical High on Thursday.

Martin said while it has been a busy week for his charges, the priority has been rotating the squad and keeping the players fresh and ready to play each game.

“We are trying our best in terms of managing the squad,” Martin explained after their 5-2 win over Kingston Tech on Thursday.

“As you can see, we have rotated some players today to keep some of those players fresh, and hopefully they are ready to go on Saturday,” he continued.

“I would have said it before about this team, I believe they are peaking at the right time and sky’s the limit for them.”

For Calabar, today’s match will be an opportunity to pick up their first win of the quarterfinal round after falling to Eltham 1-0 in their opening game.

A loss could confirm Calabar’s exit from the competition, a fate the lions from Red Hills Road will look to avoid.

DARK HORSES

Manning Cup dark horses Eltham will face their biggest test this season when they take on defending champions Excelsior, also in Group A action.

Eltham currently lead the group on three points, and will be looking to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

Excelsior and Wolmer’s sit joint second in the group, both on one point, while Calabar sit rooted at the foot of the table without a point.

A win for Eltham could also confirm their spot in the semi-finals before they enter the final round of fixtures in the group.

For Excelsior, they are hoping for an immediate response after a dramatic 2-2 draw against Wolmer’s in their last outing, where they squandered a two-goal lead.

Excelsior will enter the contest as slight favourites, but will be wary of an Eltham unit that has proven they can tangle with the top teams this season.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com

Today’s fixtures:

Wolmer’s vs Calabar at Waterhouse Mini Stadium (2:30pm)

Excelsior vs Eltham at Waterhouse Mini Stadium (4:35pm)