Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

THE FIRST title of the rural area ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel schoolboy football season will be decided this afternoon when Rusea's and Garvey Maceo square off in the Ben Francis Cup Knock-out final at Jarrett Park, at 3:00 p.m.

Rusea's, who are hunting their fifth hold on the coveted title, got into the final courtesy of a 1-0 semi-final win over Grange Hill, while Garvey Maceo, who are seeking their first major schoolboy title, qualified with a 4-2 semi-final win over Dinthill.

Based on the confidence being exuded by both camps, backed up by their impressive records, which has seen Rusea's lose only once in 12 starts and Garvey Maceo still unbeaten after 13 outings, an epic his match-up is anticipated.

"This is a final and I don't think we could be any more ready for it," said Rusea's coach, Anthony 'Follies' Williams.

"Our last Ben Francis final was back in 2002 when we lost to Old Harbour and we want to bury that memory by beating Garvey Maceo," Williams said.

Based on their record in the preliminary round of the daCosta Cup, which saw them topping Zone B ahead of the likes of Frome Technical and Green Island, winning nine times and losing once in 10 games, the optimism in the Rusea's camp is understandable.

Dream season

For their part, Jeffrey Hewitt-coached Garvey Maceo have been having a dream season. In addition to topping the competi-tive Zone I, they had the enviable distinction of handing reigning daCosta Cup champions Glenmuir their first defeat at the zone level in five years.

"Confidence is very high in the camp and the players are ready to go out and back up their ability by winning this title," said coach Hewitt, who played without three regular starters against Dinthill. "Our focus is all about playing a good final and winning this title," he said.

In their daCosta Cup campaign, Garvey Maceo topped Zone I ahead of the likes of Glenmuir, Old Harbour and Central, winning eight games and drawing two to secure the group's Ben Francis KO place.

In terms of composition, the Rusea's team, which is yet to concede a goal in their Ben Francis campaign, looks quite solid with the likes of skipper and central defender Damain Thompson, midfielder Worrick Pinnock and their red-hot strike force of André Atkinson, Roydel Moncrieffe and Clifton Clarke.

Teams to beat

"This team has defeated quite a few of the so-called 'teams to beat' this season and we are ready to add Garvey Maceo to the list," said a confident coach Williams. "We intend to pull out all the stops to get the right result in this final."

In terms of the make-up of their team, the Garvey Maceo side, which has been tried and tested and at the zone level, looks quite a capable unit.

With the likes of skipper Ashton Bennett, who has scored 25 goals this season, and his strike partners Daniel Callaghan and Nicholas Hewitt, Rusea's will need to be at their best to contain them.

"We are not worried about what is being said in our opponent's camp, our focus is on winning this title," said coach Hewitt.

"Although I am expecting a good game, it is definitely going to be a win for Garvey Maceo."