Adrian Frater, News Editor

Glenmuir goalscorer Drion McNain (front) turns away from an Old Harbour defender during yesterday's daCosta Cup match between the two teams at Jarrett Park. Glenmuir won 6-2.- photo by Adrian Frater

WESTERN BUREAU: DACOSTA CUP champions Glenmuir High School started the defence of their ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel title in impressive style at Jarrett Park yesterday by clobbering Old Harbour 6-2 in their Zone I fixture, which was part of the competition's season opening triple-header.

Unlike their rural counterparts, Manning Cup champions Bridgeport High School had a most disappointingstart to their season, going down 1-0 to former champions Norman Manley in their Zone D match-up, which was the afternoon's opening game.

In their demolition job on Old Harbour, the offensively dazzling Glenmuir got their goals through skipper James Thomas (two) Ricardo Webb (two), John-Ross Doyley and Drion McNain. Old Harbour converted twice from the penalty spot through Dane Kelly and Jabarie Baker.

"It was quite an encouraging start for us, especially in terms of the number of goals we got today," said Glenmuir's coach, Jackie Walters. "However, I think we have a few things to work on before we reach where I would want this team to be."

absolute joy

For Norman Manley's coach, Alrick Clarke, whose team got their victory over Bridgeport courtesy of Jamali Spence's first-half strike, it was absolute joy. "We played quite a disciplined game within our limitations and thankfully it paid off for us," said Clarke. "Our hope is to move from strength to strength as the season progresses because we could well be the team taking home the trophy at the end of the season," he said.

In their game, which started in brilliant sunshine but had most of the second half played in pouring rain, Glenmuir had the better of the early action and predictably took the lead in the 23rd minute when skipper Thomas capitalised on a defensive error and rolled home his shot gently, making the score 1-0.

With the momentum in favour of Glenmuir, they doubled their lead in the 40th minute. An attack started by Thomas saw the ball relayed to McNain inside the goal area and he calmly chipped wide of the advancing goalkeeper, making the half-time score 2-0.

Seven minutes into the second half, Webb struck beautifully when he pounced on a looping cross and glanced the ball out of the reach of the goalkeeper, making the score 3-0. In the 67th minute, McNain was fouled in the penalty area and the referee ruled a penalty. Doyley made no mistake from the spot, making the score 4-0.

got back-to-back penalties

With Glenmuir lookingragged in the pouring rain, Old Harbour got back-to-back penalties in the 72nd and 77th minutes when the goalkeeper fouled Baker and Kelly converted and then a defender handled the ball and Baker converted.

With time running out, Glenmuir were to have the last laugh when they too were awarded a 82nd-minute penalty when a defender handled the ball and skipper Thomas converted from the spot, making the score 5-2. Then on the stroke of fulltime, Webb benefited from a blunder by the goalkeeper and sent his diving effort into the goal, making the final score 6-2.

Norman Manley dominated the early action in their game, but faulty finishing, especially by Patrick Scott, kept them off the scoresheet. One glaring miss in the sixth minute had his teammates holding their heads.

Midway through the half, Norman Manley started looking purposeful and, after missing another chance through Scott in the 30th minute, they got the all-important goal in the 32nd.

On a brilliant move coming in from the right flank, Scott squeezed between two defenders and toe-poked the ball past the goalkeeper to score the only goal of the game.