JC to face STATHS in Manning Cup final

New champions will be crowned in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup after Jamaica College defeated Kingston College 5-4 on penalties, after a 0-0 regulation time scoreline, in Wednesday's semi-final at the National Stadium, to join St Andrew Technical in a repeat of the 2017 final.

In a keenly contested encounter between the two rivals, it was Jamaica College, which enjoyed the better of play for much of the contest, but despite enjoying encouraging possession advantage, the 'Dark Blues' could not find a way past the defending champions in regulation time.

Both teams enjoyed decent chances throughout but none could get the critical strike within the 90 minutes of regulation time, meaning that as was the case in the other semi-final, it was left to a penalty shootout to determine the victors.

In the earlier semi-final, STATHS secured their return to the final after a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Wolmer's.

Both teams had played to a 1-1 scoreline in regulation time before STATHS' success from the spot, which now gives them a chance to claim their first title win since 1987. 

STATHS were beaten by Jamaica College in the 2017 final. 

STATHS took the advantage in the ninth minute, when defender Steven McQueen powered a close-range header beyond the Wolmer's goal-keeper Denzel Smith. 

However, in the 15th minute of play, Wolmer's striker Orlando Russell made the most of a delightful pass out of midfield, outwitting STATHS defender Noel Walker, before calmly slotting a rolling shot beyond goal-keeper Ricardo Laing, to secure parity for the team from Heroes Circle.