FORMER champions Rusea’s High and Paul Bogle High booked their spots to the ISSA daCosta Cup football second round after Friday’s games against Green Island High and Fair Prospect High, respectively.

Rusea’s beat Green Island 2-0 in the Zone B return game at Colin Miller Sports Complex while Paul Bogle earned a 0-0 result against hosts Fair Prospect in Zone L.

After playing out a 1-1 result earlier this season, Malik Headed and Rojay Ricketts scored for the Paul “Tegat” Davis-coached team which rushed to an unassailable 21 points.

The point earned from their game saw Paul Bogle High move to 10 points, ensuring their safe passage through to the Round of 32.

Fourteen of the 32 spots in the second round have now been filled.

The teams that had already qualified are Cornwall College, Manning’s School, Cedric Titus High, William Knibb Memorial High, Christiana High, Alphansus Davis High, Manchester High, Central High, Clarendon College, Glenmuir High, Garvey Maceo High and Ocho Rios High.

Another five schools could claim their places in the second round on Saturday.

Maldon High, who failed to advance on two previous attempts, can qualify for the second round in back-to-back seasons if they can secure a point against Cornwall College at home and as long as Herbert Morrison Technical fail to beat St James High.

Cambridge High are within touching distance of their first-ever second-round qualification. They are to face former champions Frome Technical at Frome Sports Club in the biggest game in their history.

Both teams, who played out a 1-1 result in their previous clash, are tied on 14 points but Frome Technical have a massive advantage on goal difference and have won four of their five home games this season.

The only game they failed to win was against Rusea’s High on Tuesday when they came from behind to end 1-1.

They will be without Romario Clarke after he was red-carded in that encounter.

Petersfield High, who did not compete in schoolboy football last year, can advance past the first round for the first time since 2022 if they can beat Lewisville High and if Manning’s School win their seventh-straight game to eliminate Black River High.

Petersfield High are in second place on 12 points, two ahead of Black River, while Manning’s are leading with 18 points.

A point for last year’s finalists and Zone J leaders McGrath High against Old Harbour High will be enough to see them through.

McGrath, who lead with 15 points, previously defeated Old Harbour 6-0. Another win for McGrath would open the door for Dinthill Technical who would also advance with a win over Tacius Golding High.

The race for the three qualifying spots from the play-offs in Zone E is still close, with very little among the quartet who have not been able to get a win in their last two outings.

BB Coke High, who are leading with 15 points, are to face Maggotty High who are on 10 points.

St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), who are on 13 points, are to meet Lacovia High, who are on 10 points.

BB Coke defeated Maggotty 3-2 when they met in the first round, and if they win again, they would advance.

STETHS would also progress if they beat Lacovia High.

— Paul A Reid