MAY PEN, Clarendon — Sporting Central Academy became the second team to confirm their place in the quarter-final round of the Clarendon FA/Captain’s Bakery Major League following the latest round of games at the weekend.

The relegated Premier League side blanked Original Hazard 2-0 in May Pen to move four points clear at the top of Zone C.

As it stands, their 14 points mean they are guaranteed at least a second-place finish as only Moores United (10), who have a game in hand against Sporting, can beat them to first place.

Despite the loss, Original Hazard, also on 10 points, are likely to join both Sporting and Moores in the last eight, at least as one of the two best third-placed teams. They only need a point from their next game to secure third spot.

The race for the two guaranteed spots in Zone A remains wide open, however, with only two points separating the the top three teams — Comfort FC, Kemps Hill FC, and York Town FC. In fact, even fourth-placed Four Paths FC can still qualify for the quarters should they win their two remaining matches.

Comfort are the current pacesetters, overtaking Kemps Hill FC on goal difference after beating them 1-0 last Saturday. Both sides have 12 points, while York Town, on 10, and Four Paths, on seven, stay within touching distance in third and fourth, respectively.

As expected, defending champions Jamalco FC won Zone B with a game to spare following a 1-0 victory at Lionel Town FC, who were eliminated from quarter-final contention after the defeat. Jamalco are up to 19 points, while their nearest challengers New Bowens FC (10) can only tally 16 points, but only if they win their two remaining games.

With only one match to play, Lionel Town (five) can only attain eight points, which might not even be good enough to give them third place in this group. However, Savannah FC (five) and Treadlight FC (five), each with two games to play, remain in contention.