DEFENDING champions Mona High are now in serious danger of missing the semi-finals of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup after their 3-1 defeat to Tivoli Gardens in Group A at Winchester Park on Tuesday.

The defeat, which was Mona’s first loss of the season, left Mona at the bottom of the standings with just one point from two games.

In the group’s other game, Jamaica College (JC) thrashed rivals Kingston College 3-0 at Stadium East. JC, coached by Davion Ferguson, were led to victory by a double from Jamoy Dennis. Nashardo Gibbs was also on the scoresheet for JC.

JC now leads the group with four points, one ahead of KC and Tivoli, with one round of games remaining in the quarter-finals.

“We are elated with this victory, but at the same time we remain focused on the task ahead because there is one game to go in this round,” JC Manager Ian Forbes said. “I think this was a good victory because the young men fought well, and they executed the coach’s game plan. It is one game at a time for us, and each game stands on its own. This one is done, and we are now looking forward to our next game.”

Hydel moved to the top of Group B with their 2-0 victory over St Catherine High at Spanish Town Prison Oval on Tuesday. Sean John Curther and Keyanni Jackson were the goalscorers for Hydel who were defeated by Mona in the final last season.

In the group’s other game, Campion College defeated Excelsior 2-0. Hydel leads the group with four points, followed by Campion College and St Catherine who are both on three points, with Excelsior on one.

“I am very excited about this victory because we went out there as the least-fancied team as our support was much smaller compared to that of St Catherine,” Hydel Head Coach Devon Anderson said. “But my boys stuck to the task and the game plan, and we came out with the victory.

“We went out there with a tactical plan and my boys executed it well. Now, we are just looking forward to our next game on Saturday against Campion College.”