Race to Ben Francis KO final

The ISSA Ben Francis KO semi-finals will take centrestage at Glenmuir High School today with the final four teams battling for a place in the final and a chance to lift the coveted trophy.

Clarendon College and Denbigh High will open the day’s action at 1:30 p.m. before Dinthill Technical take on hosts Glenmuir High at 4 p.m.

Clarendon advanced with a 2-1 victory over Manchester High in a heated quarterfinal encounter that ended with 11 yellow cards issued and the defending champions reduced to 10 men.

The defending champions will be aiming to secure back-to-back titles and reinforce their position among the competition’s leading contenders.

Coach Devon Anderson acknowledged that adjustments will be necessary ahead of the clash, particularly with national player Justin Hayles unavailable following his dismissal against Manchester.

“There are about 10 or 11 things we need to change going into this game. Firstly one of our better players is out and we have to find a replacement for him,” Anderson said.

Difficult encounter

Denbigh coach Garfield Carney is expecting a difficult encounter against the defending champions, but believes his players have what it takes to advance.

“Well, this is a repeat of the semi-final two years ago, so we are expecting another tough match against them. Our players are confident, and we are hoping to get into the final this time around,” Carney said.

“Preparations have been going on pretty well. The boys are focused, and they are putting in the work. We have to give it our all and leave everything on the pitch, and hopefully, we will be in the final.”

Denbigh booked their semi-final spot with a 2-1 victory over Munro College and will be hoping to take another step towards securing a major domestic title.

However, they face a tough opponent in Clarendon College, whose five championships in the competition underline the school’s rich football tradition.

Meanwhile, the second semi-final promises another intriguing contest.

The teams are no strangers to one another, having met in last season’s ISSA daCosta Cup semi-finals, where Glenmuir emerged victorious.

Playing at home, Glenmuir will be hoping to capitalise on familiar surroundings and the support of their loyal fans.

Glenmuir have been impressive on home soil this season and will be eager to maintain that form against a Dinthill side coached by veteran Lenny Hyde.

Dinthill have also been making their mark this season and will be determined to show that they belong among the leading contenders.

Both teams enter the contest on the back of emphatic victories, with Dinthill defeating Old Harbour High 4-0 and Glenmuir recording an identical 4-0 win over McGrath High in the quarterfinals.

With both schools capable of producing goals, the second semi-final could deliver an entertaining contest.

* 1:30 p.m: Clarendon College vs Denbigh at Glenmuir

* 4 p.m: Dinthill vs Glenmuir at Glenmuir