Watson to lead the lines for Glenmuir - Champions Cup semifinals at National Stadium today

Glenmuir High head coach Andrew Peart has placed his trust in his striker Orane Watson to lead the lines when they face off against Ocho Rios High in the semifinals of the ISSA Champions Cup today at the National Stadium.

Glenmuir will take on Ocho Rios High at 4 p.m. in the first encounter of a doubleheader before Hydel High battle Jamaica College (JC) for the remaining spot in the final at 6:15 p.m.

Peart praised Watson for his brilliant form in front of goal this season as the national under-20 representative has netted 32 times in Glenmuir's run to the semifinals of the Champions Cup as well as the daCosta Cup.

The striker played a crucial part in their 2-1 win over Kingston College in their last outing as he bagged their first goal of the contest.

"It's important to have good players, especially goalscorers like Orane," Peart said. "The most pleasing thing is always when you can develop them from first form and they grow to understand what the school's football programme is about.

"We're proud of the development that Orane has seen throughout his time and we continue to rely on him in a structured way that works to the best of his talent."

The encounter will be their second meeting this season having already faced off against each other in the daCosta round-of-16 where Glenmuir ran out 3-0 victors.

However, Peart said their last meeting will have little influence on today's game as he anticipates a good showing from their opponents.

Ocho Rios, led by the head coach Veron Peterkin, will be hoping to add more history to their names having already secured the school's first ever appearance in the Champions Cup and daCosta Cup semifinals this season.

They will be hoping to add another inspired win under their belt after a Keanu Reid double against St Catherine their last outing led their charge to the final four.

In the second match of the encounter, JC will take on Hydel in a bid to claim their third hold on the Champions Cup title.

They, however, will be without their starting goalkeeper Tawayne Lynch, who has been handed a three-match suspension by ISSA.

Lynch was shown a red card in their last encounter, a 2-0 win over McGrath, in the opening 15 minutes of the contest.

JC's head coach, Davion Ferguson, views the suspension as a blatant block to prevent Lynch from competing in a vital part of the season.

"He is suspended. That is what ISSA says so I think they can confirm that but that is what we've heard from them," Ferguson said.

"It is sad when we miss a youngster because for us, it is more than just a football game. Here at Jamaica College, we are giving chances for youngsters who want to move on to professional opportunities, to colleges and universities overseas on scholarships.

"This is a blatant block on this youngster and that is the concern that we have," he affirmed.

Ferguson, however, remains confident his players can pull off the win in the absence of one of the team's leaders this season.

"It is not a surprise what happened but we're a resolute bunch," Ferguson said.