St George’s, Mona look to secure Manning Cup progress
Former champions St George’s College (STGC) and Mona High will be looking to close out their second-round ties in the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association Manning Cup when they face Jonathan Grant High and Tivoli Gardens High, respectively, in return games on Friday.
The Neville “Bertis” Bell-coached STGC, who are one one of the major contenders for this year’s title, will take a 4-1 lead into their second-leg contest against Jonathan Grant at Winchester Park. Match time is 3:00 pm.
However, Kemeel Wolfe, head coach of Jonathan Grant, said his team can turn the tables.
“It is going to be a very difficult task for us due to the fact that St George’s College over the years have been a well-rounded team, so we know that it is going to be tough. But it is something that is attainable for us,” said Wolfe.
“We are 4-1 down and so obviously we have to get the ball into the back of the net,” he said.
“We created a few chances in the last game that we didn’t score and so we need to get an early goal or two and that will set the tone for the rest of the game, and so that is the mindset for us,” Wolfe said.
The North Street-based STGC, who last won the Manning Cup title in 2012, will be depending heavily on the likes of Brain Burkett, Joel Brown, Zabir Taylor, and Rasheed Hanns to lead their charge to victory.
Elsewhere, Mona, who have a perfect record so far this season, will take a 2-0 lead into their return contest against Tivoli Gardens at the Jamaica College football field. In the day’s other second-leg matches, Campion College and Charlie Smith High, who played out a 1-1 result in their first-leg contest, will lock horns in the opening match of a double-header at Stadium East, starting at 1:00 pm.
In the second game at the venue, Haile Selassie take a 1-0 advantage into their game against Excelsior at 3:15 pm.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
1:00 pm — Charlie Smith vs Campion @ Stadium East
3:00 pm — Mona vs Tivoli Gardens @ Jamaica College
3:00 pm — St George’s vs Jonathan Grant @ Winchester Park
3:15 pm — Excelsior vs Haile Selassie @ Stadium East
