High-scoring d’Cup teams take second strike

After an opening round that produced a stunning 20-0 scoreline, the battle for early supremacy in the ISSA daCosta Cup preliminary round continues today with several key match-ups across the competition.

Fresh from a hard-fought opening victory, Ferncourt High School will seek to maintain their momentum when they face daCosta Cup newcomers Walkerswood Academy in a Zone C clash at the Drax Hall Sports Complex, starting at 3:30 p.m.

Ferncourt enter the contest on the back of a 2-1 victory over Cedric Titus High and will be hoping to build on that performance as they chase an early advantage in the zone.

The St Ann-based school is among the early leaders in Zone C on three points alongside Brown’s Town High and Marcus Garvey Technical, with goal difference separating the teams.

Under the guidance of experienced coach Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis, Ferncourt will be aiming to improve on their opening performance while taking a game-by-game approach to the campaign.

Davis, one of the competition’s most experienced coaches, will be expected to maximise his players’ strengths as Ferncourt seek to establish consistency early in the season.

Meanwhile, Walkerswood Academy will be desperate to rebound after suffering a crushing 20-0 defeat to Brown’s Town in their opening match on Saturday.

The newcomers will be hoping to put that disappointing result behind them and deliver a stronger showing against one of Zone C’s early front-runners in what could prove an important contest in their campaign.

Elsewhere in St Ann, Brown’s Town High will host Marcus Garvey Technical in what promises to be an explosive Zone C showdown at York Castle High School, also starting at 3:30 p.m.

The contest brings together two of the zone’s most prolific teams following the opening round.

Marcus Garvey enter the encounter brimming with confidence after thrashing Discovery Bay High 10-1 and will be looking to carry that attacking momentum into the contest, as they seek to upset Brown’s Town and climb the standings.

However, Brown’s Town will be no easy opponents. Their remarkable 20-0 demolition of Walkerswood Academy serves as ample evidence of their attacking threat.

With both teams demonstrating their firepower in the opening round, fans could be in for another goal-filled encounter.

Over in St Elizabeth, B.B. Coke High will host Lewisville High at the B.B. Coke Playing Field at 3:30 p.m.

Regarded as one of the stronger teams in the preliminary round, Zone D leaders B.B. Coke began their campaign on a winning note with a comfortable 4-0 victory over deCarteret College.

B.B. Coke coach Fitzroy Ambersley expressed confidence following the victory, but warned that his team cannot afford to underestimate any opponent in what he expects to be a highly competitive campaign.

“Well, naturally, any coach would feel good from a win, but at the same time we cannot take our opponents as if they are not a good team. Every team in the competition is very tight,” said Ambersley.

“Our opponents are very aggressive in playing the game as well, so we want to take them as seriously as any other team that is there,” he added.

Ambersley’s primary objective is to secure another victory as B.B. Coke seek to maintain their early momentum and strengthen their grip on the top spot in Zone D.

Today’s games

B.B. Coke vs Lewisville at B.B. Coke

St James vs Muschett at Jarrett Park

Ferncourt vs Walkerswood Academy at Drax Hall

Brown’s Town vs Marcus Garvey at York Castle

Herbert Morrison vs Spot Valley at Herbert Morrison

Little London vs Green Island at Little London

Lacovia vs Mt St Joseph Catholic at Lacovia

Porus vs Winston Jones at Porus Community Centre

Vere Technical vs Cross Keys at Wembley Excellence Centre

Bellfield High vs Mile Gully at Bellfield High

May Day High vs Foga Road at May Day

Kellits High vs Denbigh High at Morant Housing Scheme

Central High vs Lennon at Effortville Community Centre

Charlemont High vs Tacius Golding at Charlemont

Tacky High vs Tichfield High at Tacky High

Iona High vs Horace Clarke High at Iona

St Mary High vs Wycliffe Martin High at Highgate Community Centre

*All games begin at 3:30 p.m.