Western Bureau:
The two teams that will contest the finals of the 2009 Ben Francis Knockout will be decided this afternoon, when champions St James High School oppose Munro College at Jarrett Park and Glenmuir High oppose Paul Bogle High at Jamalco in semi-final games, starting at three o'clock.
Based on the results of last Saturday's quarter-final games, which saw St James swamping Rusea's 6-1, Paul Bogle surprising Dinthill Technical 1-0, Glenmuir clipping Lennon High 2-1 and Munro edging Manchester High 5-4 on penalties, the semis should produce intriguing action.
On current form, St James should start firm favourites on the familiar Jarrett Park surface, where they carried out last Saturday's demolition job on Rusea's, winning 6-1. However, having survived a nerve-wracking quarter-final clash against Manchester, Munro cannot be slighted.
"We are ready for this game," said Munro's coach Hopeton Gilchrist, who is not overly concerned that the game is being played at St James' home ground (Jarrett Park). "We are not worried about the venue, our focus is on going down there and doing well."
While St James High will be banking on established players such as star strikers Allan Ottey and Roshane Reid, midfielder Ricardo Morris and key defender Keniel Kirlew, the Munro team should be well served by the likes of Christopher Wint, Rasheem Eccleston, Carl Simpson and Shaunavan DeSouza.
Interestingly, coach Gilchrist, who hails from Montego Bay, is quite familiar with the vast majority of St James players, having worked with them when they competed at the junior level in the various St James parish competitions.
For the game at Jamalco, five-time champions Glenmuir, fresh from their 2-1 win against the much-vaunted Lennon High, should start favourites against a Paul Bogle team which has defied expectations in getting by the likes of Annotto Bay High (2-0) and Dinthill (1-0) to make the semi-finals.
Top scorer
However, having progressed through the various rounds of the divided Zone L of the daCosta Cup and then surviving two rounds of the Ben Francis KO, one suspects that with top scorer Rafiek Green in spanking form, Paul Bogle will be taking giant-killing aspirations to Jamalco.
"Glenmuir will basically be at home and will no doubt enjoy greater ground support, but we are ready and will be going there to play complete football," said Paul Bogle's coach, Patrick Bartley. "We are quite confident that we will be able to get the job done."
Glenmuir, which are guided by the vastly experienced Patrick 'Jackie' Walters, whose astute coaching skills are almost legendary, could make it a miserable afternoon for Paul Bogle, especially if dangerous attackers, Ramon Wilson and Paul Whittaker report in prime form.