Ricardo Dennis (right) of defending daCosta Cup champions, Glenmuir High, looks to tackle a Denbigh High School defender in the opening game of the 2013 ISSA/LIME daCosta Cup schoolboy football competition at the Catherine Hall Stadium on Saturday. Dennis was on target for Glenmuir in their 2-0 victory. - Paul Clarke

It wasn't the one-sided affair many thought it would be. Nevertheless, it was an efficient performance from defending daCosta Cup champion Glenmuir High, who defeated Zone M rival Denbigh High School 2-0 in Saturday's first match of the ISSA/LIME schoolboy football season at Catherine Hall Stadium to delight new head coach, Warren Simpson.

"I believe we equipped ourselves really well today," said Simpson after the match. "I think we owned the game from inside the first half as I thought our opponents panicked as we began to dominate."

Striker Ricardo Dennis was the man on fire for the Clarendon-based Glenmuir, scoring in the fifth minute of play. His sublime finish was worthy of an even better celebration.

Denbigh, seeking their first win over their parish rivals in 10 years, had little to show for their efforts although displaying flashes of individual artistry on a few occasions. While their build-up from defence to the midfield area was also good, they lacked the decisive pass in the final third.

However, Denbigh went close to finding the equaliser in the 26th minute, but again, the final pass was too heavy, leaving the attacker in a foot race for the ball.

The champions were not to be denied their win, and midfielder Romaine Fagan sealed the deal when he fired past the Denbigh keeper in the 34th minute to give his team the unassailable lead, which they held until the final whistle.

LATE BURST

In the evening's second match, 11-time champion Cornwall College produced a late burst to defeat Maldon High 2-0 in Zone A action, with Akeem McCarthy scoring twice, in the 52nd and 90th minutes.

"It was a game that I think the boys played very well," said Cornwall College's head coach, Dr Dean Weatherly.

"The players committed themselves very well and we are looking to build on this win to put up an even more impressive performance in our next game," reasoned Weatherly.

The competition continues tomorrow with five games. In Zone I, three games are scheduled: Ocho Rios High bow into action against Steer Town, York Castle take on Marcus Garvey High, and Cedric Titus battle Brown's Town.

Meanwhile, in Zone N, Foga Road take on Central High and Old Harbour tackle Kemps Hill in what is expected to be a highly charged affair.