JC, Eltham through to semi-finals

JAMAICA COLLEGE (JC) and Eltham High have booked their spots in the semi-finals of the ISSA/WATA Manning Cup competition following big wins today in the second round of quarterfinal matches.

JC booked their spot in the final four as they cruised past Charlie Smith High in a 4-0 drubbing in Group A action at Stadium East.

In the earlier game at the same venue, St Andrew Technical High (STATHS) returned to winning ways as they dismissed Calabar High 4-1.

A brace from Marvin Henry, along with strikes from Justin Johnson and Kennardo Gordon, led the way for STATHS.

O’Bryan Marks provided Calabar’s consolation.

In the feature game, Jamone Lyle opened the scoring for JC in the fifth minute before Jabarie Howell doubled their lead in the 40th.

Lyle and Howell returned for their braces in the second half with goals in the 47th and 56th minutes, respectively.

Raymond Watson, JC’s coach, said their objective was to secure their spot in the next round as they hunt for a 32nd hold on the Manning Cup title.

He praised his players for what he called one of their best performances yet.

“I thought we did well by scoring the goals and also our build-up play and how we executed,” said Watson.

“I think this was one of our best performances for the season. One of the objectives was trying to score early, and we achieved that. The second half, the other objective was try to get another goal, and we achieved that.”

JC started the stronger of the two teams and were rewarded with an early goal. Lyle’s speculative effort from distance should have been a routine save for goalkeeper Julis Clarke.

However, Clarke fumbled the ball and had to watch as it trickled over his goal line.

Orlando Grant responded for Charlie Smith and came close to a leveller when his effort from a free kick crashed off the cross bar.

JC applied the pressure soon after and should have had two quick goals, but Duwayne Burgher squandered back-to-back opportunities in the 23rd and 24th minutes.

They continued to press for the second goals, and it paid off before the halftime whistle in spectacular fashion.

Countering from a Charlie Smith corner, Howell picked up the ball in his own half and went on a mazy run.

He sprinted past one marker, sat down a second, rounded the goalkeeper, and walked the ball into the net to double JC’s lead.

The boys from Old Hope Road continued their attacking dominance in the second half as Lyle snagged his brace with a finish from close range just two minutes after the restart.

Howell bagged a brace of his own in the 56th minute with a low-driven effort from the edge of the box that was too hot to handle for Clarke.

Charlie Smith’s best chance of the game fell to second-half substitute Tashaun Reid as a loose ball fell into his path at the back post, but he failed to hit the target.

With time running out, JC were comfortable on the ball as they managed the remaining minutes and saw out the result.

In group B action, Eltham defeated Vauxhall 2-0 to pick up their second win of the quarterfinal round and also book their spot in the Manning Cup semi-finals.

With the day’s results, JC move atop Group A with a perfect six points as Charlie Smith sit second with three.

Excelsior and Hydel, who will face off against each other today, sit third and fourth without a point.

In Group B, Eltham also moved to the top of their group with six points while STATHS and Vauxhall, both on three points, sit third and fourth, respectively.

Calabar, who have been eliminated from the Manning Cup, are fourth without a point.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday’s Results

STATHS 4-1 Calabar

Eltham 2-0 Vauxhall

Charlie Smith 0-4 JC