Manchester High's coach Barry Watson (left) and Manchester's Jason Johnson (right). - Photo by Adrian Frater

Western Bureau:

After his team made the inter-zone round four years ago and then followed up with back-to-back quarter-finals and another inter-zone place over the past two years, coach Barry Watson started the 2009 ISSA/Pepsi/ Digicel daCosta Cup season absolutely convinced that his Manchester High team would go all the way this year.

"We started a four-year programme in 2006 and our projection was that the programme would culminate with us winning the title this year," said Watson. "We have been quite consistent over the past three years so we are not surprised that we are now in the final."

While most pundits seem to have been caught off guard by Manchester's success this year, Watson said had the team not made it to the final he would have considered it an underachievement, based on their preparation and the quality players at his disposal.

a united family

"While we do have very good individual players, our real strength is the fact that we have a strong overall unit, inclusive of players, coaching staff and support staff," said Watson. "We have been working quite hard as a united family and we are expecting Manchester High to win its first daCosta Cup title this year."

While Manchester High has been very good, they have not been flawless, as they have lost three times in 17 daCosta Cup outings. However, what started out as cautious optimism for them turned into full-fledged confidence when they humbled the then much-feared Lennon High 5-0 in their inter-zone clash.

"Our confidence level intensified after that win against Lennon," said Watson. "You could see those who did not believe before started believing that we had what it takes to become champions this year."

With their 68 goals for and 10 against record speaking volumes for their all-round competence this season, Manchester High will be heading to Jarrett Park - the scene of last Saturday's semi-final win against outgoing champions St James - for today's final against STETHS, absolutely convinced that they will be the team leaving with the coveted title.

"We played quite well against St James High at Jarrett Park and we are looking to better that performance against STETHS," said Watson. "We are yet to play our best football this season so I believe the boys have been saving that very special performance for this final."

In their semi-final game against St James High, Manchester High had the better of the regulation and extra-time play, which ended in a 0-0 stalemate. They also looked the superior team in the ensuing penalty shoot-out, which they won 3-0.

top players

While Watson has flatly refused to single out any individual player for special praise, based on their persistent good showing this season players such as Jason Johnson, Dave Morgan, Oral Johnson, Romaine Thomas and goalkeeper Michael Parcells are all expected to figure prominently in today's final.

"I would have been disappointed if we had not made this final," said Watson. "Now that we are there, we are ready to make our four years of hard work pay off, with Manchester High winning its first daCosta Cup title."