'Purples' hunt crucial victory

Preseason favourites Kingston College (KC) will be on the hunt for maximum points when they face Bridgeport High in the ISSA/FLOW Manning Cup quarter-final round Group H at the Spanish Town Prison Oval today starting at 3 p.m.

Following impressive results and performances in the preliminary and second round stages, KC were cooled by traditional sporting rivals, Calabar High in a 1-1 draw last Saturday in front of a jam-packed crowd at the Stadium East Field.

With two games remaining in the quarter-final round, the 'Purples' of North Street must win in order to stay in contention for their first hold on the prestigious Manning Cup since 1986.

HUGH DISAPPOINTMENT

The KC team is filled with national youth and senior team representatives and failing to beat Bridgeport today, would be a huge disappointment.

The Ludlow Bernard coach KC will rely on top goalscorer Rashawn Mackison, as well as Reggae Boyz players Javain 'Trigga' Brown and Fabian Grant to carry them to a first victory in the quarter finals.

Although going down 2-0 to group leaders and defending champions Jamaica College, also last Saturday at Stadium East, the Bridgeport team are still in with a shot of advancing to the semi-finals. However, the Garnet Lawrence coached team need a victory to get back on track.

Bridgeport's key players include captain and central defender Kyle Ming, Romario McPherson, Jevaughn Dunn and Javon Bascoe to keep the Portmore-based school in contention.

In the early kick-off at 1 p.m., St Catherine and St George's College will meet for the third time this year. Both teams won against each other during the preliminary group stage. After earning a point each from drawn encounters in Group G last weekend, a win for either team will go a far way in gaining a last four place.

Meanwhile, in another double header at the Constant Spring Field, Jamaica College will look to move closer to a spot in the semi-final when they meet Calabar in the opening game, starting at 1 p.m. In the feature game, number one ranked Holy Trinity face-off against St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) at 3 p.m.

Today's games

1 p.m. - JC vs Calabar at Constant Spring

3 p.m. - Holy Trinity vs STATHS at Constant Spring

1 p.m. - St Catherine vs St George's College at Prison Oval

3 p.m. - KC vs Bridgeport at Prison Oval

Points standings

Group G

Teams                   P   W   D   L   GF   GD   GA   Pts

Holy Trinity         1     0     1    0    1     1      0       1

St Catherine         1     0     1     0     1      1      0    1

STATHS               1     0     1    0     1     1      0      1

St George's           1     0     1    0     1     1       0     1  

Group H

JC                       1     1     0      0    2     0     2       3

Calabar               1     0     1      0    1     1     0      1

KC                      1      0      1     0    1     1     0     1

Bridgeport          1     1      0     1    0     2    -2      0