G’Maceo, Rusea’s clash in DCup quarter-finals
MONTEGO BAY, St James — Garvey Maceo, the only winners from Saturday’s first set of ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup quarter-final games, will seek successive wins this afternoon when they take on Rusea’s High in the first game of a Jarrett Park double-header, starting at 1:00 pm.
The 2007 winners lead Group Two with three points after edging Old Harbour 1-0, and will be facing a Rusea’s team that has arguably the best defence in the competition, having given up just one goal all season and none in nine consecutive matches.
St James and Glenmuir will renew rivalry in the second match at Jarrett Park in Group One; Marcus Garvey and defending champions St Elizabeth Technical will meet in the other Group One game at Drax Hall, while Old Harbour and Lennon meet at Jamalco.
Semi-finalists last year, Garvey Maceo will be confident they can get at least a point, but will face the daunting task of breaching the tight Rusea’s defence.
The Rusea’s offence has been equally impressive as their defence and except for Saturday’s nil-all draw, had scored 12 goals in their previous three games — all played at Jarrett Park.
A return to the familiar confines of the Montego Bay venue could see Brian Brown return to his free-scoring ways, with support to come from Ramon Foster and Anthony Walker.
St James and Glenmuir drew 0-0 at the same stage last season and after 2-2 draws on Saturday, both must go for the win to stay in contention for a semi-final berth.
St James gave up a 2-0 half-time lead against STETHS, while Glenmuir came from a goal down to lead 2-1. And while they are scoring goals, there must be concerns about giving up goals as well.
Marcus Garvey and STETHS will have the same concerns when they meet at Drax Hall as they, too, seek to advance to the final four.
Old Harbour will be playing for their lives against a good-looking Lennon team and will seek another escape, as they did in the previous round.
A win today is a must, however, for the Linval Dixon-coached team, or they will wave goodbye to the competition for another season.
Lennon have lifted their play since the start of the Inter-zone round, and it took a superb Rusea’s defence to hold them at bay last week.
The Old Harbour defence will be put to the test by the likes of Odaine Brown and Ewan Grandison, the top scorers for Lennon.
Today’s schedule:
Rusea’s vs Garvey Maceo @
Jarrett Park
St James vs Glenmuir @ Jarrett Park
Marcus Garvey vs STETHS @ Drax Hall
Old Harbour vs Lennon @ Jamalco.