ISSA/FLOW Manning Cup semifinal preview
The Inter-Secondary School Association (ISSA) Flow Manning Cup has reached its penultimate stage and will see defending champions Jamaica College going up against Holy Trinity in the first semifinal and Wolmer’s Boys’ taking on Kingston College in the second fixture.
Holy Trinity advanced out of Group H with six points, defeating the much fancied Excelsior in the final match in the group to book their spot in the semifinals. Their opponents Jamaica College had little trouble advancing from their group, winning three games from three, including a 6-0 demolition of Denham Town and a tight 1-0 win against St Jago in the last fixture at the Constant Spring football field.
Wolmer’s and Kingston College will meet for the third and last time this season, with the teams tied 1-1 for the season. KC’s group proved to be the most difficult of them, with all four teams going into the final match with only two points. However, KC was able to advance with five points, the same amount as Charlie Smith who finished second. The North Street based institution had the better goal difference in the end and managed to seal their semifinal spot with just two more goals than their counterparts.
Wolmer’s Boys’ was the only other team to attain a perfect record throughout the second round in a group that included the likes of St. Georges, St. Catherine and Haile Selassie. The boys from Heroes Circle continue to look impressive, having scored 6 goals in the 3 matches as well as conceding none.
Who will lift the 2016 Manning Cup trophy? At the moment, both Jamaica College and Wolmer’s look set to repeat the 2013 classic final when the latter gave up a 2-1 lead to allow a resilient JC team to claim the victory.
One thing is for sure, the semifinal matchups tomorrow promise to be both enthralling encounters.
Both matches will be played at the National Stadium with Holy Trinity vs. Jamaica College at 4pm and Kingston College vs Wolmer’s at 6pm.