Mona seek revenge against STGC

Af ter being eliminated by St George's College a year ago, Mona High will have an opportunity to change their fortunes when the two sides meet again on the second day of the ISSA/Digicel M anning Cup second round today.

Mona's rematch against the 2018 finalist is the headliner of a double header at Stadium East at 2 p.m. while Excelsior and Jonathan Grant will face off at 4 p.m. Mona head coach Alexander Morgan says that his team was cautious but excited at the opportunity to gain revenge on the Light Blues.

"We know that they are one of the teams touted to win the competition," Morgan said. "I know that it will not be an easy task to beat them, but I think that we are better prepared than last year and we have a team that is gelling at the right time."

7-1 aggregate win

Last year's meeting was virtually secured by Group F winners St George's in the first leg, winning 4-1 en route to a 7-1 aggregate win. Mona, who were one of the best third place teams with 24 points, will once again be the designated home team in the first leg and Morgan has stressed the importance of keeping St George's off the scoresheet.

"We have to try and not make them score. If they don't score at least we will get a draw going into the second leg," he said.

Meanwhile, Hydel High will face many time champions Jamaica College in the feature game of a double header at Prison Oval at 3 p.m. while St Jago High and Charlie Smith will kick off earlier at 1 p.m.

Hydel coach Corey Bennett will hope to go further in the competition after being foiled by St Andrew Technical last year and knows that his team will be in for a fight against one of the favourites.

"There's no doubt that Jamaica College is a well prepared team," he said. "I believe for us to even stand a chance against them, we have to be on our best game," he said.

The reigning Walker Cup champions finished second in Group D with 25 points in the first round and Bennett acknowledges that for his team to stand a chance against Jamaica College's potent attack, they will have to take a cautious approach, but he also believes in the quality that he has within his ranks.

"To go in an open game against a Jamaica College team, I don't think is the best advice, he said. "The best thing is to stay behind the ball a little bit and pick our spots when we get them."

Jamaica College finished top of Group E, amassing 32 points from their 12 games, with 10 wins and two draws. The dark blues have scored 54 goals in group play, second most behind Wolmer's, who scored 57.

Today's ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup fixtures:

Spanish Town Prison Oval:

St Jago vs Charlie Smith 1 p.m.

Hydel vs JC 3 p.m.

Stadium East:

Mona vs STGC 2 p.m.

Excelsior vs Jonathan Grant 4 p.m.