KC, Excelsior perfect into Manning Cup last eight

Kingston College (KC) and Excelsior High extended their perfect run in the second round of the ISSA Manning Cup yesterday in contrasting fashion as they booked their spots in the quarterfinals with 3-1 and 2-0 wins over Wolmer's Boys and Tivoli High, respectively.

Both teams made it two wins in a row for the second round as KC pulled off a come-from-behind victory against Wolmer's Boys while Excelsior blanked Tivoli 2-0 in a double header at Stadium East.

In the first match of the evening, KC found themselves on the back foot as Wolmer's took the lead just a minute after kick off through an own goal from defender Christiano Myers.

Despite their constant pressure, the famed Purples would have to wait until the 75th minute before they pulled level as Matrim Martin scored from close range after Wolmer's goalkeeper Yuri Dryden parried his first shot.

The goal opened the floodgates as Shereef Ricketts and Deshawn Byfield scored KC's second and third of the game in six minutes to confirm the win and their passage into the quarterfinals.

KC sit atop Group Three with six points with Wolmer's falling to the foot of the table with just a point to their tally.

The second match was a game of missed opportunities for Tivoli as they were wasteful in front of goal and Excelsior ran out comfortable victors.

Lance DaCosta, assistant coach of Tivoli, praised the team for their fight despite the loss on the day.

"We had a couple of opportunities but we didn't finish. It was a good performance, despite the 2-0, we saw the fight and the coming together," he said. "We have to work on our finishing, goals win games and as long as we're scoring, then I guarantee we're going win."

The ever-dangerous Kimarly Scott opened the scoring the 34th minute with a one-time finish inside the box before assisting Damarley Williams' late goal in time added on.

Tivoli had numerous opportunities to pull themselves level in the game but could not find their shooting boots throughout the contest.

Their best opportunity came in the 55th minute when Ryan-Oneil Francis found himself through on goal but dragged his effort just wide of the near post.

Excelsior High head coach, Keon Broderick, praised his team for their performance as they now look towards their final game of the second round against Jonathan Grant on Saturday.

"We still have the last game of this round and then we have the quarterfinals," Broderick said. "I must give credit to my boys for the effort that they gave. One of the things that I asked them was to give 100 per cent and they did not let us down."

Excelsior lead the charge in Group Two with six points ahead of Tivoli who trail in second with three.

Yesterday's results

Wolmers Boys 1-3 Kingston College

Tivoli Gardens 0-2 Excelsior High

Campion College 1-2 Mona High

Jamaica College 5-0 Charlie Smith High

St George's College 1-0 St Jago High

Jonathan Grant 0-3 Eltham High

STATHS 0-1 Hydel High

Calabar High 1-3 St Catherine High