A pulsating encounter is expected when Charlie Smith square off with Jonathan Grant in a match that could decide the second automatic place from Zone B in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition.

Both teams enter today’s clash, which will be played at Jonathan Grant High School in Spanish Town starting at 3:30 pm, locked in second place in the zone, each with 14 points. However, Charlie Smith hold a slim advantage with a superior goal difference of 12.

Defending champions, Mona, unbeaten this season, lead the zone with 19 points. Waterford are in fourth place with seven points, followed by Tarrant with six and Gaynstead who are yet to register a point.

If their last meeting is anything to go by, fans are in for a treat after Charlie Smith and Jonathan Grant played to an exciting 2-2 draw earlier this season, showing just how closely matched the two teams are.

Still, it was a miserable day for Charlie Smith Coach Eugene Williams, whose team gave up a two-goal lead before hanging on for a share of the points, and the coach has gone to lengths to ensure his players are hardened for the expected challenge, noting that his team is prepared to do whatever it takes to secure victory and one foot in the next round.

“This is a very important game for us, because both teams are battling for the automatic position for the round of 16,” said Williams. “Going to Jonathan Grant, we know that it is not an easy place to play, but we are going there with all confidence to win and we are preparing ourselves for anything they throw at us.”

“My players understand the importance of this game, so we are going there with the mindset to achieve a positive result. We are leading them on goal difference, so we must ensure we maintain that by the end of the game,” Williams pointed out.

Charlie Smith, who reached the quarter-finals of last year’s competition, will rely on George Pringle Jr, who has scored seven goals this season, along with Reece James and Andre Longford to lead their charge to victory.

Like Williams, Kameel Wolf, head coach of Jonathan Grant, is also expecting a tough contest.

“We know that this game will essentially determine who secures that second spot from the zone to the quarter-finals, especially since Mona has had almost a perfect record and they have not lost a game yet,” Wolf said. “It’s going to be a tough game because Charlie Smith is a quality team with good players, so we need to come out, play our game, and be business-like to ensure we achieve a positive result,” said Wolfe, who added that his team is encouraged by the result of their last match against Charlie Smith.

“We came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with them in our last game so I expect my team to fight very hard to secure this victory,” Wolf pointed out.