Cornwall face Manning’s test

MANY-TIME champions Cornwall College will face a stern test against unbeaten Manning’s School in a crucial ISSA daCosta Cup second-round clash at Cornwall today. Kick off time is 3 p.m.

Following a 3-1 comeback victory over Brown’s Town High, Cornwall will enter the contest on six points, level with Rusea’s High, while Manning’s sit atop the standings on nine points after a 2-0 win over winless St James High.

Cornwall head coach Leacroft Lettman said his team was focused on taking a step-by-step approach to the challenge.

“The boys are upbeat and they are ready. They know the task at hand, and we’re just taking it step by step and game by game. Playing at home is always a plus for the boys, and it gives us that 12th man in the stands with the support and cheers for the boys,” Lettman said.

Lettman also acknowledged the importance of the competition’s format, stressing that every match carried significant weight as teams battle for places in the next round.

“The format of the competition makes each game a final. We are, however, going to take it as the games come. Our boys are looking towards the next round,” he said.

Manning’s, meanwhile, will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run against a determined Cornwall side that has won two of its three matches.

Head coach Patrick Graham said preparations were proceeding according to plan and that his team was in high spirits.

“We know the history between the two schools and we are very excited. I know it won’t be an easy game but, nonetheless, it is a challenge that we are looking forward to,” Graham said.

“We know that a positive result would improve our chances of advancing to the next round of the competition, and that is our intention,” he added.

While a victory would strengthen Manning’s position at the top of the group, Cornwall will be eager to claim all three points to improve their standing and boost their chances of advancing.

In another second-round encounter, defending champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) will host unbeaten Frome Technical High at the STETHS Sports Complex, also starting at 3 p.m.

Frome lead Group A on nine points, while STETHS are tied with Munro College on six points but are ahead on goal difference.

The defending champions enter the contest following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a young Irwin High team on Wednesday.

Frome, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their 1-0 victory over Munro College, a result that kept them unbeaten.

With both teams seeking to strengthen their positions in the group, today’s encounter could prove crucial to their second-round campaigns.

All matches are scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m.

Today’s games

STETHS vs Frome at STETHS

Cornwall vs Manning’s at Cornwall

Irwin vs Holmwood at Irwin

Maggotty vs Munro

Glenmuir vs Old Harbour at Glenmuir

Central vs Yallahs at Effortville Community Centre

Kemps Hill vs Garvey Maceo at Kemps Hill

St Mary vs Denbigh at Highgate Community Centre

Mile Gully vs Knox College at Mile Gully Community Centre

Dinthill vs McGrath at Dinthill

Titchfield vs B.B Coke at Carder Park

Ocho Rios vs Morant Bay at Drax Hall Sports Complex

Clarendon vs Christiana at Clarendon

Edwin Allen vs Lennon at Edwin

Manchester vs Porus at Manchester

Brown’s Town vs Rusea’s at Brown’s Town

William Knibb vs St James at William Knibb