Manning’s hunt three on the trot in d’cup

Five schools, including red-hot Manning’s School, former champions St elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Dinthill Technical, will go in search of their third-straight win in today’s bumper round of 25 matches in the inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) dacosta Cup football competition.

Petersfield High and Mcgrath are also going after three wins, while another 12 schools will seek to build on winning starts. Two of those games will be between teams which won their opening contests — Holmwood Technical vs Alphansus Davis High; and Lennon High vs Ben Francis Cup holders Edwin Allen High.

Additionally, at least six schools will also play their first games, a week after the start of the competition. They include former winners Clarendon College, Glenmuir High and Frome Technical.

Manning’s School, last season’s beaten finalists, got off to a fast start with 11 goals in two games, 10 of them coming in the second half of wins against Grange Hill High and Black River High, respectively. This afternoon they host neighbours Godfrey Stewart High who are also unbeaten after their two games.

Jhamaleek Porter is coming off a four-goal burst against Black River High on Tuesday and is the early leader with five strikes, but the Manning’s attacker will face a tougher Godfrey Stewart defence today.

Petersfield High will seek to keep pace with Manning’s in Zone D when they host Black River High who will hope to rebound from their 6-0 loss on Tuesday.

STETHS are yet to concede a goal after two games and hosts joint second-placed Maggotty High, a school they have never lost to and are expected to get by today.

Dinthill Technical and Mcgrath High are both tied on six points at the top of Zone K and faces Enid Bennett High and Charlemont High, respectively, both on three points each. Charlemont will hope to atone for their 3-4 loss to Dinthill on Tuesday when they face Mcgrath in a contest that has been close over the last few seasons.

Holmwood Technical and Alphansus Davis both scored 1-0 wins in their opening games on Tuesday and in a zone that has traditionally been very close and competitive, every point will count. Similarly, Edwin Allen High and Lennon High both scored 4-0 victories in their opening games in Zone H and both will be seeking to stay on top and unbeaten after today’s game.

Cornwall College were less than impressive against Maldon High on Wednesday and will need to step up a gear or two today against Green Pond High who returns to the Zone A after playing in Zone B last year.

Green Pond will be playing their first game of the season after Wednesday’s game against Anchovy High was postponed.

Rusea’s High are expected to go on a scoring run today against Hopewell High after putting seven past Merlene Ottey on Monday and Frome Technical who are expected to challenge in Zone opens against Merlene Ottey High at home.

SATURDAY’S GAMES Zone A

Anchovy High vs St James High — Anchovy

Maldon High vs Irwin High — Maldon

Cornwall College vs Green Pond High — Cornwall College

Zone B

Hopewell High vs Rusea’s High — Orchard

Frome Tech vs Merlene Ottey — Frome Sports Grounds

Zone C

Muschett High vs Herbert Morrison Tech — Muschett

William Knibb Memorial vs Spot Valley High — William Knibb

Zone D

Petersfield High vs Black River High — Petersfield

Manning’s School vs Godfrey Stewart — Manning’s

Belmont Academy vs Grange Hill High — Crawford Sports Complex

Zone e

Munro College vs Lacovia High — Munro College

STETHS vs Maggotty High — STETHS Sports Complex

Sydney Pagon STEM vs BB Coke High — Sydney Pagon

Zone G

Alphansus Davis High vs Holmwood Tech — Alphansus Davis

Christiana High vs Alston High — Christiana

Zone H

Lennon High vs Edwin Allen — Lennon

Clarendon College vs Kellits High — Clarendon

Zone i

Oracabessa High vs Ocho Rios High — Clemhards Park

Browns Town High vs York Castle — Addison Park

Zone K

Charlemont High vs Mcgrath High — Charlemont

Dinthill Technical vs Enid Bennett — Dinthill

Guys Hill vs Ewarton High — Tacky High

Zone M

Central High vs Tacius Golding High — Glenmuir High 1:00 pm

Glenmuir High vs Denbigh High — Glenmuir High 3:00 pm

Zone O

Port Antonio High vs Fair Prospect High — Carder Park

(Photo: Paul Reid) Manning’s School’s Dainton Williams (right) shoots as Black River High’s Jevar Brown looks on during the dacosta Cup Zone C game in Savanna-la-mar on Tuesday.