Race for daCosta Cup progress heats up

MONTEGO BAY, St James — The race for places to the ISSA daCosta Cup football second round will intensify this afternoon with a number of teams hoping to secure progress. The top two teams on points from each zone plus the three best third-place teams will advance to the second round. Brown’s Town High, Yallahs High, St Mary High, and Titchfield High have already sealed spots.

As many as five more schools can book their places — Irwin High and St James High from Zone A; Ferncourt High from Zone D; and Knox College from Zone F. Irwin High and St James High will meet in a clash of zone leaders. Only goal-difference separates them, as both are on 12 points from four games.

A win for either school would, however, open the door for third-placed Muschett High (six points), who are to host Spot Valley High. Ferncourt High, seeking to win a fifth-straight game, can join Brown’s Town from Zone D. Ferncourt are to go up against against Discovery Bay High, who are yet to win a game.

A win for Ferncourt would also take them past Browns Town (13 points) as group leaders. Knox College need only a point from their final Zone F game against last-placed Troy High to secure their place. A win would see Knox secure zone honours, leaving a number of schools to fight for the other automatic qualifying spot.

The game between Holmwood Technical, on seven points, and Claude McKay High (six) could be crucial. Second-placed Edwin Allen High, who are on eight points, are to play Alston High. A win for Edwin Allen would see them edge closer to the second round.

Rusea’s High, expected to be smarting from their elimination from the Ben Francis Cup, can move within a point of leaders Frome Technical with a win over Grange Hill High. Dark horses Knockalva Technical can stay in contention with a win over Little London High, while Petersfield High and Green Island High are to meet in a game that could decide the fate of both teams. Munro College are expected to win a sixth-straight game when they host deCarteret College, but mathematically, they will need both Black River High and Lacovia High to lose in order for them to secure their place.