STETHS look to rebound against improving Irwin

Irwin High School will face a stern test on home soil today when they take on St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in the ISSA daCosta Cup beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Irwin will, however, enter the contest with renewed confidence after securing a 2-1 victory over Maggotty High last Tuesday, their first win of the second round.

Assistant coach Sanjay Sterling said the result had lifted spirits within the camp, with the young squad continuing to grow in confidence.

“The spirit in the camp has really lifted. Training has been spirited and positive. The youngsters are growing in confidence and expressing themselves,” said Sterling, noting that many members of the squad are under 16.

“We know how important momentum is, especially at this stage, so preparations have been focused on building on that and getting a positive result. Getting a positive result at home is very important,” he added.

According to Sterling, his players have been encouraged to approach the match with confidence and discipline despite the challenge posed by the defending champions.

“We expect a tough game from STETHS. They are the defending champions and will definitely be looking to respond after their loss in the last game, so I think more pressure should be on them,” he said.

“The message is simple: go out there, play with confidence and discipline, and express themselves,” Sterling added.

STETHS, meanwhile, will be seeking a response after suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Munro College. The defending champions will be eager to return to winning ways as the second round continues.

In another second-round encounter, Frome Technical High will host Munro College at 3:30 p.m., with the teams meeting again after their Ben Francis Cup knockout clash.

Munro thrashed Frome 5-0 in that encounter, but head coach Everdean Scarlett has warned his players against complacency.

“We beat them 5-0, but it’s a new game now. We are not taking anything for granted because they played two games in the daCosta Cup and they won,” said Scarlett.

“I think we have to work on our concentration. Frome has gotten better, so we have to just go out there and play our game,” he added.

Frome will enter the contest on the back of an emphatic 7-0 victory over Holmwood Technical.

With both teams looking to build on recent performances, today’s encounter could prove crucial in shaping their second-round campaigns.

TODAY’S GAMES

Frome Technical vs Munro College at Frome

Holmwood Technical vs Maggotty at Holmwood

Irwin High vs STETHS at Irwin

Old Harbour High vs Yallahs at Linval Dixon Field

Lacovia High vs Central High at Lacovia

Ferncourt High vs Glenmuir High at Drax Hall Sports Complex

Garvey Maceo High vs Knox College at Garvey Maceo

Denbigh High vs Mile Gully at Denbigh

St Mary High vs Kemps Hill at Highgate Community Centre

McGrath High vs Morant Bay High at McGrath

BB Coke High vs Ocho Rios High at BB Coke

Titchfield High vs Dinthill Technical at Carder Park

Christiana High vs Porus High at Christiana

Lennon High vs Manchester High at Lennon

Edwin Allen High vs Clarendon College at Edwin Allen

Manning’s School vs St James High at Manning’s

Rusea’s High vs William Knibb Memorial (venue to be confirmed)

Brown’s Town High vs Cornwall College at Brown’s Town

All games begin at 3:30 p.m.