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Manning, Walker Cup-qualifying spots on the line
November 01, 2024
The quarter-finalists for the ISSA Manning Cup and Walker Cup football competitions will be decided this weekend, as Manning Cup second-round action comes to its finale.
The top two teams from the second-round groups will advance to the Manning Cup quarter-finals, while the bottom two teams will contest the first round of the Walker Cup.
Kingston College (KC), Excelsior High and St Catherine High have all booked their spots in the quarter-finals after two second-round fixtures.
Groups One and Three will play out their final fixtures today, while Groups Two and Four will take to the field on Saturday for their final games.
Defending champions Mona High headline today's fixture when they take on St George's College (STGC). Both are in contention for one of the two qualifying spots in Group One.
Mona lead the charge with six points, while STGC and Campion College are both tied on three. However, Campion sit second by virtue of having a superior goal difference.
St Jago High sit fourth in the group without a point, and have already been eliminated from the Manning Cup.
Mona need to avoid defeat to advance to the Manning Cup quarter-finals, while STGC will need a win as well as a favourable results in Campion's match against St Jago.
In Group Three, Hydel, St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) and Wolmer's Boys' are all in contention of joining KC in the quarter-finals.
Hydel, second with three points, take on Wolmer's Boys', who are in fourth place with one point.
STATHS are on the verge of missing out on the quarter-finals for the first time since 2016 as they will need a statement win against an unbeaten KC, as well as a favourable results in Hydel's match against Wolmer's.
LAST GASP
Saturday's fixtures present a last gasp opportunity for Calabar High in Group Four, as they take on Charlie Smith High with their quarter-final ambitions on the line.
After an impressive 2-2 draw with Jamaica College (JC), Calabar fell 3-1 to St Catherine High and now sit third in the group with just a point, trailing group leaders St Catherine High, six, and JC, four.
A win for Calabar could push them up the table into a qualifying spot, but that would require St Catherine High inflicting defeat on the boys from Old Hope Road. At that point, goal difference would come into play, so goals scored and conceded in either match could have an impact.
In Group Two fixtures, Tivoli High and Eltham High come face to face in a dramatic finale, as the winner from that game will join Excelsior High as the group's qualifiers.
Both teams are level on points with three points each, but Tivoli currently hold the advantage with a greater goal difference.
