Irwin ready for champions STETHS

IRWIN High will face a stern test today when the ISSA daCosta Cup resumes. Irwin will host defending champions St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) at the Irwin playing field with kick-off time set for 3:30 p.m.

Irwin, however, are coming off a 2-1 victory over Maggotty High and assistant coach Sanjay Sterling said the result had lifted morale in the camp, with the young squad growing in confidence.

“The spirit in the camp has really lifted. Training has been spirited and positive. The youngsters are growing in confidence and expressing themselves,” said Sterling, noting that the team has an average age under 16.

“We know how important momentum is, especially at this stage, so preparations have been focused on building on that and getting a positive result. Getting a positive result at home is very important,” he added.

“We expect a tough game from STETHS. They are the defending champions and will definitely be looking to respond after their loss in the last game, so I think more pressure should be on them,” he said.

STETHS, meanwhile, will be seeking a response after suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Munro College.

In another second-round encounter, Frome Technical High will host Munro with the teams meeting again after their Ben Francis KO clash.

Munro thrashed Frome 5-0 in that encounter, but head coach Everdean Scarlett warned his players against becoming complacent.

“We beat them five-zero, but it’s a new game now. We are not taking anything for granted because they played two games in the daCosta Cup and they won,” said Scarlett.

“I think we have to work on our concentration. Frome have gotten better, so we have to just go out there and play our game,” he added.

Frome will enter the contest on the back of an emphatic 7-0 victory over Holmwood Technical. With both teams looking to build on their recent performances, today’s encounter could prove important in shaping their second-round campaigns.

All 18 daCosta Cup games today are scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Frome Technical vs Munro College at Frome

Holmwood Technical vs Maggotty at Holmwood

Irwin High vs STETHS at Irwin

Old Harbour High vs Yallahs at Linval Dixon Field

Lacovia High vs Central High at Lacovia

Ferncourt High vs Glenmuir High at Drax Hall Sports Complex

Garvey Maceo High vs Knox College at Garvey Maceo

Denbigh High vs Mile Gully at Denbigh

St Mary High vs Kemps Hill at Highgate Community Centre

McGrath High vs Morant Bay High at McGrath

BB Coke High vs Ocho Rios High at BB Coke

Titchfield High vs Dinthill Technical at Carder Park

Christiana High vs Porus High at Christiana

Lennon High vs Manchester High at Lennon

Edwin Allen High vs Clarendon College at Edwin Allen

Manning’s School vs St James High at Manning’s

Rusea’s High vs William Knibb Memorial

Brown’s Town High vs Cornwall College at Brown’s Town