William Knibb Memorial, Brown’s Town and St Mary High all booked spots in the round of 32 of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association/Wata daCosta Cup football competition with return-leg wins on Friday.

William Knibb Memorial joined zone winners Spot Valley High from Zone D; Brown’s Town High took the second place from Zone K; and St Mary High grabbed the third qualifying spot from Zone M.

William Knibb edged Cedric Titus High 2-1 in Clarks Town to finish a point behind Spot Valley High who blanked Discovery Bay High 4-0.

It was Cedric Titus’ first loss at home this season but their second loss to William Knibb Memorial who had won their first round game 3-0.

At Spot Valley, Chrisano Lawrence scored twice to lead the home team. Amado Russell and Stevan Mullings also scored.

Spot Valley, who finished at the bottom of Zone A last season, were topping their zone for the first time since 2017.

Browns Town High blanked Marcus Garvey Technical 6-0 to finish second in Zone K on 22 points. They joined early qualifiers Ocho Rios High (24 points) who were 4-1 winners over York Castle High.

St Mary High (15 points) beat St Mary Technical 2-0 to take third place in Zone M behind Port Antonio High and Titchfield High.

Port Antonio High, meanwhile, had their perfect start snapped after they were held 0-0 by Titchfield High at Carder Park.

A total of 23 schools have so far secured berths in the round of 32 which is set to start on Tuesday. Another six teams, including defending champions Clarendon College, former champions Frome Technical, Rusea’s High and St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), could all secure their places on Saturday.

All three spots in Zone H are still up for grabs with each team having another game to go after Saturday.

A point against Denbigh High would be enough to see zone leaders Clarendon College (18 points) through to the next round. Second-placed Central High can also make progress with a win over Lennon High.

Clarendon College had beaten Denbigh High 2-1 in the opening game of the season at the Montego Bay Sports Complex. But this afternoon’s game could be even more competitive with a place in the next round at stake.

Central High, on 16 points, beat Lennon High 4-1 when they met previously.

Zone B leaders Frome Technical, on 20 points, need only a point against third-placed Anchovy High to advance. Frome won 5-0 when the teams previously clashed.

Anchovy High, who are still mathematically in the race, are coming off a big win last time out. If they can pull off a win it would significantly boost their chances.

STETHS face a tough task when they go up against Zone E leaders and qualifiers Munro College at STETHS Sports Complex. A point will be enough to see them safely through.

STETHS, on 15 points from nine games, are coming off back-to-back wins and must get a result to keep off third-placed BB Coke High who are on 12 points. BB Coke are set to face Lacovia High who are unbeaten over their last five games.

There will be a massive clash in Zone A between second-placed Maldon High and third-placed Green Pond High. The teams, separated only by goal-difference, will be gunning to join Zone A winners Cornwall College.

Maldon High, who lead on goal-difference, need only a draw to qualify for the second round for the first time.

Green Pond must win if they are to qualify for the second round for the first time since 2019.

Green Pond, who beat Maldon in their earlier encounter this season, are coming off a big morale-boosting win over Cornwall College on Tuesday.

Clarendon College’s Justin Hayles (right) gets away from Denbigh High’s Alwardo Fearon (left) and Sanjay Prince during the daCosta Cup Zone H game at Montego Bay Sports Complex in St James on September 7, 2024. Clarendon College won 2-1.