Manning Cup second-round picture takes shape

WITH JUST a few match days left in the first round of the ISSA Manning Cup football competition, several schools have already punched their ticket to the next phase while several more are closing in on a coveted second-round spot as action resumes today.

Jamaica College (JC) have secured their spot from Zone F following a near-perfect first round thus far.

JC, last season’s dethroned Manning Cup champions, have strengthened their bid as title contenders with five wins from their six games, including 18-0 and 11-0 drubbings of Pembroke Hall High and Ascot High respectively.

They currently sit atop the zone with 16 points, closely followed by Excelsior High on 13, who they will play next tomorrow.

Excelsior are now three points away from securing their spot in the next round. The ‘Eagles’ will be confident of picking up the needed points in their last three fixtures against JC, Bridgeport, and Ascot.

Perennial contenders St George’s College (STGC) have also booked their spot in the next round, having defeated Holy Trinity High 5-0 in their Zone G fixture on Saturday.

By virtue of their win, STGC have ensured St Catherine High will need just a point from their remaining three games in the zone to advance to the second round.

STGC lead the group with 16 points from their six games while St Catherine sit second with 13 from five.

St Catherine will travel to Papine today where they are expected to collect all three points, having already beaten their opponents 4-0 in the reverse fixture.

Perhaps the surprise package of the season, Eltham have secured their spot in the second after their impressive six game win-streak in Zone A.

Eltham started the competition on fire with 20 goals in their first three games before confirming their status as the season’s dark horses when they got by Hydel 2-0 in a mammoth first-round encounter.

They guaranteed their spot in the second round after their 2-0 win over Dunoon Park Technical on Saturday.

Zone E is shaping up wonderfully, as Wolmer’s Boys’ School, Tivoli, and St Jago all stand with a chance of advancing from the two automatic qualifying spots.

The best of the lot so far, Wolmer’s are still five points away from securing safety and face a tough schedule with back-to-back games against St Jago and Tivoli.

A lot will hinge on the way the game between Tivoli and St Jago goes today.

St Jago are on 15 points and could join Tivoli, who are on 18. If that happens, Wolmer’s may need all five points. However, a loss for St Jago would create a four-point swing, leaving Wolmer’s needing just a point for qualification.

TODAY’S GAMES

• Clan Carthy vs Hydel High at Alpha Institute

• Dunoon vs Ardenne at Excelsior High

• Tarrant High vs Mona High at JACISERA Park

• Gaynstead High vs Waterford High at Gaynstead High

• Jonathan Grant vs Charlie Smith at Jonathan Grant

• St Jago High vs Tivoli Gardens High at St Jago High

• Norman Manley High vs St George’s College at Maxfield Park

• Papine High vs St Catherine High at Papine High

All games begin at 3:30 p.m.*