Kingston College are among three schools seeking to extend their winning run in this year’s Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/FLOW Manning Cup competition, as 12 games are scheduled to be contested across four groups today.

All games are set to kick off at 3:30 pm.

The in form Kingston College team that is expected to comfortably take Group C honours and pose a serious challenge for their 15th hold on title this year, have so far chalked up three comfortable victories from as many games. They currently head the standing with maximum nine points and have netted 10 times, while keeping a clean sheet in all three fixtures.

The North Street-based school has struggled to produce a title-challenging team since 1986 and has now proven that this Ludlow Bernard-coached unit possesses a vast amount of talent, and could be on course to break a 30-year Manning Cup drought.

With Kingston College red hot so far, it would take a gambling man to bet against them when they host third-placed Ascot High (four points) at Cloverly Park. The prolific Rashawn Mackinson, who currently holds the competition’s top scorer position with seven goals, is once again expected to lead from the front in piloting his team to all three points.

Last year’s semi-finalist Denham Town High, currently occupying second spot on six points, could face a stiff challenge from fifth-placed St Mary’s College (two points) at Edward Seaga Sports Complex. Fourth-placed Norman Manley (two points) will be hoping to turn their fortunes around when they host cellar dwellers Papine High (one point) at Maxfield Park in the other group fixture.

In Group D, leaders Haile Selassie with maximum nine points, are also on course to register a fourth consecutive victory when they visit fourth-placed Meadowbrook High (three points) at the latter’s home complex.

The young Haile Selassie team, now under the guidance of veteran Geoffrey Maxwell, has so far netted eight times while conceding twice in a close 3-2 win over group favourites Jonathan Grant on last.

This should be added motivation for the Payne Avenue-based unit going into today’s mouth-watering contest against a now rejuvenated Meadowbrook team that is also coming off a 3-2 win on last.

Jonathan Grant, a semi-finalist from last year, are currently in third place on six points and could return to winning ways in short order. However, they are expected to face a tough challenge at home against second-placed neighbours St Catherine (seven points), in a derby which should attract some attention.

Meanwhile, fifth-place Ardenne High (one point) will welcome the pointless Pembroke Hall in a contest which could see the points going either way, if not being shared.

In Group F, Wolmer’s Boys’ will be the other team on the day seeking to make it four straight when they welcome fifth-placed Jose Marti Technical (one point) to Heroes Circle. Wolmer’s currently lead the six-team table with nine points and are yet to concede following 6-0, 2-0 and 3-0 wins over Edith Dalton James, Dunoon Technical and Camperdown High, respectively.

The newfound attacking demeanour of the Vassel Reynolds-conditioned team should continue today, as their opponents have been struggling to find their footing in the competition.

Second-placed Camperdown High (six points) could resume winning ways, despite playing away against third-placed Kingston Technical (four points). Fourth-placed Dunoon Technical (three points) should register a second successive victory when they host Edith Dalton at Rockfort Football Club. The latter is currently rooted at the foot of the table without a point.

St Jago and Bridgeport High, both on seven points, will contest what should be a rivetting Group G top-of-the-table clash at the Spanish Town Prison Oval. Both teams have so far won twice with one draw, but the Monk Street-based St Jago hold a superior goal difference.

The Donovan Duckie-coached Hydel (five points), currently sit in third place and should make the most of their fixture away to cellar dwellers Campion College, who are without a point. Fourth-placed Calabar High (three points) will travel away to fifth-placed Cumberland High (three points) in the other group fixture.

Today’s schedule

Group C

Kingston College vs Ascot @

Cloverly Park

Denham Town vs St Mary’s College

@ Edward Seaga Sports Complex

Norman Manley vs Papine @

Maxfield Park

Group D

Meadowbrook vs Haile Selassie @

Meadowbrook

Jonathan Grant vs St Catherine @

Jonathan Grant

Ardenne vs Pembroke Hall @ Ardenne

Group F

Wolmer’s Boys’ vs Jose Marti

Technical @ Heroes Circle

Dunoon Technical vs Edith Dalton

James @ Rockfort Football Club

Kingston Technical vs Camperdown

@ Kingston Technical

Group G

Cumberland vs Calabar @

Cumberland

Campion College vs Hydel @

Campion College

St Jago vs Bridgeport @ Prison Oval