daCosta Cup semi-final berths up for grabs

Western Bureau:

Two semi-final spots are up for grabs as four teams look to take a step closer to the prestigious ISSA/Digicel daCosta Cup football title in today's third and final round of matches in the quarter-final group stage.

A Group Two double-header at STETHS Sports Complex in Santa Cruz headlines proceedings with high-flying Manning's School taking on Munro College in the late kick-off at 3 p.m. After two wins in their opening games, Manning's sit atop the four-team table with six points, two clear of the Malvern-based Munro. Happy Grove High (one point) and Vere Technical who are out of contention for the semi-finals will battle for third place in the group's curtain-raiser at 1 p.m. Only the group winners will advance to the semi-finals of the competition.

Manning's, who have their destiny in their own hands, are looking to hold their position and march into the semi-finals. According to coach Everton Tomlinson, they are looking to close out the year on a high as they look towards next year's semi-finals.

"The good thing about it is that we only have to depend on ourselves so it's about what we do on the day. We have been working hard from the beginning of the competition and we will continue to do that. We set out to win all games and we have been doing well with only one draw so we don't plan to change that," Tomlinson said.

Veteran Patrick 'Jackie' Walters, the coach at Munro, said he is not thinking about clipping the wings of the high-flying Manning's. He is is focused on having his boys fly even higher in the game.

"No, we look to fly higher than them. We know that they have been playing some good football as their record speaks for itself. We have to play our best football. It is the football on the day that will matter and I expect my boys to show up in what will be a tough game. We are going out there for a win and nothing less," said Walters who is looking to get the better of his fellow veteran.

"I don't remember us clashing in the past but in addition to being a football administrator he is showing his class as a coach," he added.

In Group One, Dinthill Technical and Edwin Allen High clash at Manchester High at 3 p.m. to decide top spot. Both teams have six points with the St Catherine-based Dinthill possessing the slight advantage with a plus one goal difference.

William Knibb Memorial High and Christiana High, who are yet to get off the mark in the group and are out of contention for the semi-finals, will battle for third place in their group at Drax Hall in St Ann at 3 p.m.