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Eltham cautiously await champs JC
October 24, 2023
The Gregory Allen-coached Eltham High will have their hands full when they face 31-time winners and defending champions Jamaica College (JC) in the schoolboy ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup football competition at St Catherine High School tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Eltham booked their spot in the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams after a three-year hiatus and finished Group C of the preliminary round on 19 points, behind Haile Selassie, who secured 28 and Jonathan Grant with 21.
According to Allen, he is heartened by their performance so far this season.
"I'm pleased with the progress of the youngsters, as this is a very young squad. The majority of the players can play under-16 as well, and the fact that we haven't played any Manning Cup football since 2019, I'm pleased that they were able to progress to the round of 16," he stated.
Eltham, who have one schoolboy football title to their name, having won the 2006 Walker Cup trophy, will face a tough challenge facing JC, who have won the Manning Cup title the most and is currently coached by Davian Ferguson.
Coach Allen revealed that they are yet to consider JC's lofty status.
"We haven't digested that challenge yet, but playing against the defending champions will be tough. However, we still want to put forward a good show, and coach Ferguson, who is a friend to me, is a person that I have a high level of respect for.
"At some point in time, we'll have to face tough challenges, so let us see where it takes us," Allen added.
He holds his cards close to his chest but disclosed that approaching a game of this magnitude takes planning and execution. He added that playing against JC will require coping with their strong attackers.
"Playing against teams like this, who are seasoned campaigners, we have to be cautious of the approach. So we'll see how best to put things together to nullify their attack and play through the lines. We have to do what we have to do on the day," he explained.
Allen, who has influential player Steven Bull in his ranks, believes they have options but stated that Bull can be dangerous when given the chance.
"The team isn't centred around any one player, but if we can get the football in good areas and supply him, I believe he will do wonders," Allen said.
