Butler downplays significance of topping Group E

HAVING safely booked their spots for the second round of the ongoing ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition, the minor detail of who will top Group E, between the Craig Butler-coached Mona High and the Anthony Patrick-conditioned St Catherine High, will be decided when the two schools meet today at St Catherine High. Kick-off time is 3 p.m.

Mona lead the group with 21 points, three ahead of St Catherine. A win for St Catherine will push them ahead of Mona on goal difference. However, Butler said Mona were looking at the bigger picture.

“Winning the Manning Cup is the priority. Topping (Group E) it would be part of the journey but we want to win the Manning Cup to establish that the systematic method that we play and how we have developed is important for Jamaica as a country,” he stated.

Mona have scored 35 goals in seven games and have conceded four. The last time both teams met Mona came away with a 2-1 victory, and according to Butler, Mona matched St Catherine’s physicality and defeated them at their own game.

“The previous encounter wasn’t that tightly contested. They brought a very physical game to us and were expecting the Mona of last year which was skilful, fast and played in transition. What they didn’t realise is that we have six defenders that are six feet, three inches tall who have been playing Manning Cup from they were 13, 14 years old.

“They came with a physical mentality but we were able to stand up immediately and played that game with them, and the scoreline just reflected us being able to defend,” Butler explained.

He added that collectively, Mona have been sound so far in the season.

“We can play strong defence and we can attack. We are also very powerful so we can switch up the game as we deem appropriate, which has been our strength in the Manning Cup,” Butler said.

Today’s games

St Catherine vs Mona (St Catherine)

Holy Trinity vs Norman Manley (Maxfield Park)

Both games kick off at 3 p.m.

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com