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The ISSA/WATA Manning Cup semi-finals are expected to bring fireworks as perennial rivals Jamaica College (JC) and St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) will go head-to-head in the curtain closer of a double-header at the National Stadium set for 4:15 p.m.
In the opening match of the afternoon, this season’s dark horses, Excelsior High and Eltham High, will face off for a spot in the final at 2 p.m.
Excelsior, led by head coach Keon Broderick, are looking to pick up their first silverware since their Walker Cup triumph in 2008.
Leading the way for the Eagles are a group of senior players, including talisman Kimarly Scott, Kivann Salmon, Terrence Williams, and Shamari Chambers.
In fact, Excelsior booked their spot in the semi-finals after a 1-0 win over Charlie Smith through a 96th-minute goal from Salmon, assisted from the boot of Scott.
Eltham, on the other hand, were comfortable through qualifying, completing a perfect run through the quarter-final round.
The boys from St Catherine defeated STATHS 4-1 in their opening game, before a 2-0 win over Vauxhall and a 2-1 victory over Calabar.
It has been a major resurgence for the Eltham programme, which played their first season in the Manning Cup back in 2005.
The school had made it into the second round for their first five consecutive seasons but faded into obscurity in the following years.
Under head coach Gregory Allen, Eltham has shown signs of establishing themselves among the best when they made it to the round of 16 over the past two years.
With 57 goals scored this season and a win away from a spot in the final, Allen said it has been a major journey for him and his players.
“It has been a journey so far and I believe the youngsters, they have worked well, they have worked hard, and they have responded to the training well,” he said.
“This is how we train, and once you are training in a particular way then the goals will come. We have had games in which we haven’t scored, but we ensured that we got back to the rectangular surface, we put in some work, and we’re seeing the results.”
In the feature match, old rivals JC and STATHS will meet in a knockout game for the umpteenth time this season.
The two teams have stood among the best in the schoolboy football over the past few years, and are expected to bring quality football to the field.
For STATHS, it is a chance of revenge against the school which has knocked them out of the Manning and Walker Cup competitions on four different occasions.
Phillip Williams, STATHS’ head coach, said they are ready to go all the way this time around.
“We know where we fell short. It’s about holding our nerves at the right time when the moments present themselves,” he said ahead of the semi-finals.
JC stand as the winningest school in the Manning Cup competition, having lifted the trophy 31 times throughout their illustrious history.
They are hoping for yet another hold on the title and will be ready to topple STATHS once again on their road to success.
The final of the Manning Cup is set for Friday, December 19 at the National Stadium.
Today’s Games
Jamaica College vs STATHS – 2 p.m.
Eltham vs Excelsior – 4:15 p.m.
Both games will be at the National Stadium
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