THE second round of the ISSA Schoolgirl Football Competition gets into full gear next Tuesday following the completion of the first-round matches last week.

Sixteen teams divided into four groups of four will vie for a place in the semi-finals set for the 27. However, only group winners will advance to the final four.

Defending back-to-back champions Lennon High qualified as the winners of Group C ahead of Old Harbour High, and they will contest Group One alongside St James High, Christiana and Ardenne.

Last season’s beaten finalists and many-time winners Excelsior High also book their place in the second round after topping Group D ahead of Ardenne.

They will compete in Group Three with Spot Valley, Old Harbour and St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS).

Group Two will feature the likes of another many-time champions St Jago High.

The Spanish Town-based school finished in front of runners-up Bridgeport in Group E, and will vie for group honours with Wolmer’s McGrath and St Hugh’s.

Group four will consist of Bridgeport, Trench Town, Oracabessa and Tacius Golding. Fourteen teams from seven group qualified automatically.

However, St Hugh’s went through as the best third-placed team and Tacius Golding as the next best third-placed team.

In the opening games next Tuesday, Lennon entertain St James and Christiana host Ardenne in Group One. In Group Two, Wolmer’s take on St Hugh’s and St Jago play away to McGrath.

In Group Three, Excelsior play STETHS and Spot Valley go up against Old Harbour, while Oracabessa face Tacius Golding and Trench Town tackle Bridgeport in Group Four.