Hot daCosta double-header in Clarendon

Western Bureau:

A mouth-watering Zone E double-header at Glenmuir High headlines today's ISSA daCosta Cup matches. Glenmuir face Lennon High at 1 p.m. before defending champions Clarendon College battle Edwin Allen High at 3 p.m.

All four teams are still in contention for two quarter-final spots. Clarendon with a superior goal difference and Edwin Allen who occupy second and third, respectively, on the table with 10 points, trail leaders Lennon by a point. Glenmuir are a close fourth with nine points.

Glenmuir registered a season-saving win over the defending champions last weekend, and, according to coach Andrew Peart, are looking to bring the same momentum and intensity to today's match as they push for a quarter-final spot. They were outscored 3-2 by Lennon when they met two weeks ago.

"It was really a good effort from us after losing consecutive games to Lemon and then Edwin Allen. It's a young team but you could see the ambition with the way we rallied to triumph in a must-win game last Saturday. We are looking to repeat that," Peart said.

"Going up against Lennon, we expect another physical and testing game. We are preparing the boys physically and mentally because of course, this is a tough zone and is a testament to the quality of football in Clarendon," he added.

Lennon are the only unbeaten team in the zone and coach Byjeon Thomas says they are looking to stay atop the table and secure one of two quarter-final spots in what will be a tough game.

"We know it's going to be a very difficult game. Glenmuir are a very good team and they showed this when they beat the current daCosta Cup champions. We know that they will be coming hard after we beat them last time out so we are preparing to fight to the final whistle," Thomas said.

Lenworth Hyde, coach of Clarendon College, said they are expecting a tough game but will look to be positive in their approach. Clarendon came out 3-2 victors in their season opener three weeks ago.

"It's a very important game, like a final. We know it's not going to be easy. Edwin Allen are a good team, it was close the last time we played them so we won't take them lightly. We have to go out, be positive and look to play our brand of football in what is going to be a very exciting game," Hyde said.