STETHS v Spalding in Inter-zone match-up
MANDEVILLE, Manchester — With the Ben Francis KO trophy safely tucked away, St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) will turn their attention to retaining the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup when the Inter-zone round gets underway this afternoon with 12 games.
STETHS will kick off the second round against Spalding in the first game of a double-header at Brooks Park — one of three double-headers scheduled.
Spalding, who edged Knox College on goal difference for the runner-up spot in Zone G, return to the Inter-zone after missing out last season and will face a STETHS team bubbling with confidence after winning their first KO title four days ago.
Losing Ben Francis finalists Paul Bogle will be without captain Alvis Powell, a member of the national Under-17 team and Janel Lee, both of whom were sent off against STETHS on Saturday, when they take on Garvey Maceo at York Oval.
After wins over Old Harbour and Manchester, the Winston Downie-coached Paul Bogle fell short in the KO final, but a should rebound.
DeShawn Stanton, Rushane Webber, Russean Brissett and Paul Irons should take up the slack against a Garvey Maceo team that has not been consistent this season.
The teams drew 1-1 when they met at this same stage last season.
Manchester will start their run to return to the final when they take on Munro College in the second game at Brooks Park.
After a disappointing end to the KO, Manchester face a rested Munro seeking to atone for placing second in their group.
St James will be seeking their first win against Frome at Frome Sports club. The teams drew 0-0 there at the same stage last season after the home team won 3-2 a year earlier.
On form, St James will start favourites, especially since the duo of Ricardo Morris and Allan Ottey, who were both invited to the national team training camp, has been officially released by the Jamaica Football Federation.
Mannings School, who opened many eyes after beating Rusea’s in the first round then being competitive against St James at Jarrett Park in the Ben Francis KO, will open up against Lennon High in a 1:00 pm start at Jamalco.
Today’s schedule:
Marcus Garvey vs St Mary High @ Drax Hall; St Mary Tech vs Brown’s Town @ Highgate; Spalding vs STETHS @ Brooks Park (1:00 pm); Manchester vs Munro @ Brooks Park; Lennon vs Mannings @ Jamalco (1:00 pm); Clarendon vs Grange Hill @ Jamalco; Buff Bay vs Charlemont @ Lynch Park; Titchfield vs Old Harbour @ Carder Park; St Thomas Tech vs Glenmuir @ York Oval (1:00 pm); Paul Bogle vs Garvey Maceo @ York Oval; Frome vs St James @ Frome; Spot Valley vs Rusea’s @ Jarrett Park. All other games begin at 3:00 pm.