HE first round of the 2013 ISSA/LIME Manning Cup was completed over the weekend with an exciting set of matches.

The usual suspects have all advanced with Denham Town, Ascot and Holy Trinity rising to play with the big boys. Group A runners-up Calabar High completed an impressive first-round comeback after a dismal start to the season. The former champions thrashed STATHS to book their spot in the second round.

Elsewhere Ascot High clipped Edith Dalton James 1-0 to capture one of two 3rd place spots to the second round. Beaten finalists Hydel High secured their Walker Cup spot with an edgy 1-1 draw with Jonathan Grant.

In Group B, Excelsior also completed a mid-season rally to top the zone convincingly demolished Haile Selassie 12-0 to stamp their dominance atop the group. Colorado Murray rapidly contributed a first half hat-trick, while the in-form Kareem Banton, Terrick James and Romaine Hosang grabbed two goals each. Norman Manley clocked Waterford High 4-1 to cement their spot in the second round. St Jago failed to advance despite a dominant 6-1 flogging of Cumberland High.

Wolmer’s Boys will have the opportunity to defend their Walker Cup trophy as they easily put away St Catherine High 6-1 despite much controversy.

St Catherine was denied an equaliser twice, while the champions kept their composure to slot home four goals after a cagey first half. Jordan James was again the main perpetrator with a brace. Elsewhere, Denham Town drubbed Clan Carthy High 7-1 to march into the second round behind the group C winners.

Defending Champions St George’s College (STGC) held off challenges from Camperdown and Charlie Smith to book a Walker Cup Spot as Group D winners. The light blues recorded a 5-0 win over Vauxhall, while Charlie Smith registered a similar 4-0 victory over Donald Quarrie to be equal on points, but STGC grabbed the top spot courtesy of a superior goal difference. Early sparks Camperdown High thrashed Oberlin 6-0 to rescue the last second round spot as best third-placed team.

Group E winners, Jamaica College (JC) completed a perfect win record in the first round after putting aside St Andrew College 3-0, while former champions Bridgeport High defeated Jose Marti Technical 4-0 to advance behind JC. In Group F, Spanish Town High stunned Kingston College 1-0 to book their Walker Cup spot. The boys from north street will still advance after cementing second spot. In Group F, a rampant Holy Trinity edged Meadowbrook 2-1 to complete an impressive first round display.

The Walker Cup is set to kick off on Friday, aiming to present a preview of the Manning Cup quarterfinals. Spanish Town high will have their skills tested when they face defending Champion Wolmer’s, while Holy Trinity will face off against a seasoned Charlie Smith team.

In a repeat of last year’s final, Hydel will face a St George’s team that has been significantly weakened since their last encounter. In the last quarter-final the excellent Excelsior will tackle a convincing JC squad.

— Mikhail Palmer