Richard Bryan, Star Writer

The 2008 daCosta Cup season kicks off for Manchester teams tomorrow featuring action in Zone F.

The zone features five teams from last year in Manchester High, deCarteret College, Bellefield Comprehensive, Porus High and privately owned campaigners, Belair High. A sixth team, Cross Keys High, makes a return from an absence of nearly five years to replace May Day High, who have dropped out.

Tomorrow's schedule sees: Manchester vs Cross Keys; Belair hosting Bellefield; and Porus vs deCarteret.

Manchester High carried the hopes of the parish last year, just failing to reach the semi-finals after losing to Fair Prospect 0-2. They are again the favourites to top the zone.

Last year the team had its best run in recent years, easily topping the preliminary zone, playing unbeaten in the second round, then securing hard fought draws against Cornwall and eventual champions Garvey Maceo before the fiasco against Fair Prospect.

Biggest asset

Manchester's biggest asset appears to be their coach Barry Watson. He is the most experienced at this level in the parish. Watson coached Holmwood Technical between 1987 and 2001 before moving to Mile Gully for a short stint. He was recruited two years ago with a mandate geared at placing the school in a position where it can seriously challenge for the title. No team in Manchester has achieved the single semi-final spot achieved by Holmwood in the 1989 season, but Manchester appears to have that potential.

The team gained valuable competitive edge following a string of impressive practice results among them being a 1-0 win over last year's finalist, Glenmuir, a 3-1 win over STETHS and 2-0 victories over Manning Cup teams Kingston College and Excelsior.

Among the players retained are Barron Watson Jr (son of coach Watson), Andre Beckford, Shane Cousins and Michael Parcel, widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the parish. Despite these impressive credentials, coach remained conservative in an interview with STAR SPORTS: "We're just taking stage by stage but we have a good chance to do well.