Lennon, XLCR final

Defending champions Lennon will face Excelsior High in today's final of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Locker Room Sports schoolgirls competition at the Spanish Town Prison Oval starting 3:30 p.m.

In the curtain raiser at 1:30 p.m., St Jago will battle Trench Town for the third-place trophy.

Lennon are the firm favourites to lift the trophy, following their impressive 4-0 victory over St Jago in the semi-final.

The matchup is a repeat of last year's finalists. Lennon defeated Excelsior 3-0 then and Merron Gordon, coach of the Clarendon-based school, is very optimistic.

"I think that as long as our girls go out and do what they are supposed to do, then we should retain our title," said Gordon. "We are very confident because we have maintained 90 per cent of our players from last year's team. They have been playing together from the past three years and they have a good chemistry going."

Xavier Gilbert, Excelsior's coach, admits Lennon is a better team, but says they are looking to reclaim the crown.

"Lennon is the best team in the competition this year because they have the same team as last year", said Gilbert. "However, we have a good unit and will look to take back the trophy, because they were the ones who dethroned us.

"I am hoping my girls come out disciplined and play some good football. I know that it is going to be a very tough game, but my girls are pretty confident that they can come out victorious," he added.

- Robert Bailey