3 weeks ago
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FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY’S schoolboy football action across the Corporate Area in the ISSA Manning Cup, there are four automatic qualifying spots left up for grabs as first-round action nears a dramatic end.
Ten of the 14 automatic spots have already been decided, with several of the competition’s top contenders safely through to the next phase.
However, with just two match days to play in the round, several dark horses and outliers are still trying to fight to live another day.
In Zone B, it is a three-horse race for one spot, with Charlie Smith, Jonathan Grant, and Waterford still in with a chance of joining defending Manning Cup champions Mona in advancing from the zone.
Charlie Smith and Jonathan Grant lead the trailing pack, both teams on 15 points, however, the former hold the edge with a larger goal difference.
Waterford, on 10 points, stands with an outside chance of sneaking into the second round but would need perfection from their remaining two games as well as their more fancied rivals to lose.
Campion College are one point away from advancing from Zone C and could guarantee their fate when they face Jose Marti Technical High at home tomorrow.
Campion are second in the zone with 19 points while Jose Marti sit third with 13. Should the Campionites avoid a loss, they will join zone leaders Kingston College, who sit secure on 22 points.
Early season high-flyers Penwood have been knocked out of contention as their four-game unbeaten streak wen for nought. Instead, they suffered from a complete 180, crashing to four losses on the bounce while conceding 13 goals in the process.
In Zone E, Tivoli Gardens are confident of their chances of a second-round appearance as they will need just one point from their last two games to advance.
With 21 points from eight games, Tivoli have placed themselves in pole position to secure the remaining qualifying spot from the group, with their closest rivals St Jago High on 15.
With their next outing, a home fixture against St Mary’s College, who they have already thumped 4-1, Tivoli are expected to collect all three points when they take to the field tomorrow.
Excelsior High are closing in on the remaining qualifying spot in Zone F despite Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to Jamaica College (JC).
Excelsior, on 13 points, will face off against Bridgeport on Wednesday, knowing a draw will be enough to send them through to the next round.
The Eagles will expect a routine three points from Bridgeport, who they dismantled 7-1 in the reverse fixture earlier in the round.
The first round of the Manning Cup will end on October 19. The top two teams from each zone, as well as the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the second round.
The second round will see the 16 teams placed in four groupss of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the third round. The second round is set to kick off on October 23.
TODAY’S GAMES
Hydel High vs Dunoon at Homestead Community Centre
Eltham vs Clan Carthy at Eltham
Holy Trinity vs Papine at Holy Trinity
St Catherine vs Norman Manley at St Catherine
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