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Garvey Maceo, Excelsior rivalry reignited
April 18, 2024
In the last three years, Garvey Maceo High have emerged as the greatest threat to Excelsior High's stranglehold on the ISSA/Tip Friendly schoolgirl football title.
Two years ago, Excelsior dismissed the Clarendon school 3-0 to claim their sixth title, while last year, they again prevailed, but this time after a narrow 1-0 victory.
This afternoon, the two teams renew their rivalry when they square off in the first of two semi-finals at the Spanish Town Prison Oval at 2:15.
Coach of Garvey Maceo Lester Hibbert insists that they are tired of playing the bridesmaid and believes that they have the experience and balance to get by the 10-time champions, who have won the last seven titles and go all the way this season.
"We have a dream, and our dream is to be champions, and we have been working really hard.
"Last year, inexperience from a coaching perspective was also a factor, but this year, we have grown, so certain mistakes that were made last year, we have done more tactically and technically to develop the girls and make them more mature, so things will be done," he said.
Hibbert says it has become very frustrating to come as close as they have and not be able to claim the honours they so eagerly want.
Still, he hasn't given up and is convinced that his troops are ready to overcome the Excelsior-size hurdle.
"It's a bit annoying getting to the semis and finals and missing out. We lost in the final 3-0 a few years ago. We lost the semi-final 1-0 last year, and at the Excelsior Cup, we lost 1-0 in the final to them.
"I think it is time for us to go across this bridge. We are both here again at the semi-finals, so the team that wants it more will come out victorious, and I believe these girls are ready as a unit to take on this task at hand."
Garvey Maceo's hopes will rest on leading scorers Keiba Cowan and Leah Williams, who both have 20-plus goals, national under-17 goalkeeper Sajay Anderson, winger Julian Howard, who has 15 goals, and left back Tyra Smith, who has eight.
Excelsior coach Xavier Gilbert acknowledged the threat Garvey Maceo pose but believes that they are prepared to face the challenge and come out on the winning side once more.
"This will be our toughest test to date. Not discrediting the other oppositions, but based on the history, it should be our toughest test.
"We have prepared properly. We want to keep our winning streak intact. We haven't conceded any goals as yet, and that is something we want to maintain," Gilbert said.
"We want to defend our title, and it is not going to be easy. We faced them in the semis last year and barely got through, so we anticipate another tough encounter.
"Mentally, we are prepared for it. This is a less experienced team than last year, but we have to go out and do what we have to do to get the result."
In the second semi-final, first-time qualifiers Edith Dalton-James High take on last season's beaten finalists, Holmwood Technical, at 4:15 p.m.
The Maurice Duncan-coached Holmwood will look to leading scorer Jamara Jones, Rhiannon Powell, McKadya McLean, and Alliyeah McAnuff.
On the other side of the coin, the Omar Taffe-coached Edith will depend on leading scorer Felicia Brown (14) and captain Danischa Rattray to get them to their first-ever final.
