Charlemont hunt daCosta win at Drax Hall

MICHAEL ISRAEL, coach of Charlemont High, is hoping his boys will take confidence from their victory over Browns Town in the preseason into their ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup second round encounter this afternoon at the Drax Hall Sports Complex in St Ann.

Darkhorses Charlemont who are reaching the second round of the competition for the first time in over a decade, are looking to get the job done on the road before their home leg on Saturday.

“We will just approach this like any other game. We are not sure as to what Browns Town will offer right now. We played them in the preseason where we won 3-1 at York Castle High. However, I’m not sure if they have make any improvement to their team but I would guess so ...” said Israel.

“We just have to go to Drax Hall, play to our strengths and hopefully come out with the victory then we will see how we approach the second leg on Saturday,” he added.

MENTALLY PREPARED

Israel believes coming out of a tough zone with Dinthill should give them the confidence to match anything Browns Town have to offer. He, however, is aware that having not been in this situation before they have to prepare the players mentally for the knockout phase.

“Our guys are prepared mentally in terms of the dialogue we have had with them. We have been explaining to them that the first round was practice for the second round. This is the part of the competition that will separate champions from just participants,” said Israel.

“These boys have it in their heads that they are better than Browns Town because they already know how they play. So they are going there with the confidence to do what is required of them,” he added.

Number one seeds Rusea’s High will be starting their second round campaign away to Mile Gully High School. Clarendon College and Garvey Maceo will be looking to extend their perfect win record over into the second round when they both play away to Green Island and Seaforth respectively.