Although they won’t be able to retain the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association Manning Cup football crown, Mona High assistant coaches Dane Peralto and Ricardo Martin say the team is motivated to win the Walker Cup.

Mona advanced to the semi-finals of the urban area knock-out competition after a comfortable 3-0 win over St Jago High at Stadium East on Wednesday.

Mona had dismantled the Spanish Town-based school 6-0 in the round of 16 of the Manning Cup last month.

Despite missing many of their key players, including Denzel McKenzie, Robino Gordon and Captain Dante Peralto, they had minimal issues as goals from Savi-K Morton, Kshaine Gordon and Cameron Sailsman got the job done.

Dane Peralto says the team did themselves proud in their quest for a title.

“The motivation is easy as you can see. What we did was the players who didn’t get much minutes throughout the year, that’s who played today and they proved they belong. They’re getting their chance so they’re out on the field trying to prove their worth. That’s exactly what we wanted; we’re developing youngsters and this is part of their development,” he said.

The competition is widely viewed as a consolation title, but Martin says the dethroned Manning Cup champions will give their all to add another trophy to their cabinet.

“The players right now are wounded so going into the semi-finals, they will lift themselves and they’ll be ready. They’re wounded and they know they have something to prove so winning the Walker Cup will do that,” he said.

St Jago High Head Coach Taneil McKenzie, while disappointed their season has come to an end, is optimistic about the future.

“I think, given all the factors, we did fairly well with what we have. Definitely, we can do much better so it’s a good starting point,” he said.

“We’re definitely looking to get support from past students and corporate [entities] in and around the Spanish Town area. With more time and better planning, we’ll definitely be better next season.”

Mona will be joined by Excelsior in the last four after they beat Eltham High 7-6 in penalty shoot-out after a goalless 90 minutes.

The remaining semi-finalists are be decided at Stadium East on Thursday.

— Daniel Blake

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS

Mona 3, St Jago 0

Excelsior 0 (7), Eltham 0 (6)

THURSDAY’S GAMES

2:00 pm
— Campion College vs STATHS @ Stadium East

4:15 pm
— Tivoli Gardens vs Wolmer’s @ Stadium