ISSA daCosta Cup football defending champions Garvey Maceo High are among schools chasing nine remaining places in the Round of 16 when the second round comes to a close this afternoon.

Garvey Maceo were held 1-1 on Wednesday by Titchfield High in the Group 7 game, but a point from the contest against Paul Bogle High at home would be enough to see them through.

Also in the group, Titchfield High are to face Old Harbour High in a game from which the winners could sneak into the next round.

Three other teams — former champions Frome Technical, along with Ocho Rios High and William Knibb Memorial High — also need at least a point to secure the spots in the next round. They would join early qualifiers Manning’s School and Christiana High from Group 3; St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Maldon High from Group 4; Glenmuir High and Manchester High from Group 5; and McGrath High from Group 8.

Elsewhere, the qualifiers in Groups 3, 4 and 5 are to meet to determine the respective group winners.

Three teams in Zone 1 could end up on six points but leaders Frome Technical, who beat both Cedric Titus and Cornwall College, need only a draw against a tricky Kemps Hill High side to take their place in the next round.

Kemps Hill rebounded from a loss to Cornwall College to outscore Cedric Titus High 6-4 on Wednesday and will be full of confidence playing at Foga Road. But only a win would help Kemps Hill.

Cornwall College, meanwhile, find themselves in a similar spot to last season, facing an eliminated team and with only pride to play for.

Cedric Titus High have scored six goals in their two losses, all coming from Terron Eccleston who could make former champions Cornwall work overtime.

Ocho Rios High will take their place in the next round with a point away to Rusea’s High in Group 2. Also in Group 2, Maggotty High are looking for a place in the Round of 16 when they host Petersfield High in the first game of a double-header at STETHS Sports Complex.

Ocho Rios, who have scored 10 goals, lead with six points.

Rusea’s, who rebounded from a loss to Maggotty High to beat Petersfield High on Wednesday, must win if they are to progress.

After playing out a 0-0 stalemate on Wednesday, former champions Clarendon College and Dinthill Technical would take both qualifying spots from Group 6 if they were to record respective drawn results against Port Antonio High and York Castle High.

Port Antonio are, however, on three points and will be looking to upset the apple cart with a win over the fancied Clarendon College.

William Knibb Memorial have been made to work hard in both their games played so far in the round in Martha Brae, edging Central High 1-0 and coming from behind twice to earn a draw against Morant Bay High.

They are away to qualifiers McGrath High, knowing that any slip-up could open the door for Morant Bay High who will be looking to take advantage of Central High. Morant Bay can only pass William Knibb on goal difference.

Manning’s School will be looking to make full use of home field advantage in what could be a close game against Christiana High.

Both schools are on six points with a goal difference of three, with Christiana scoring one more goal than Manning’s School who, remarkably, are yet to concede a goal all season.

STETHS, who got off to a slow start to the season but seem to be peaking at the right time with four straight wins while outscoring their opponents 16-2, will have the edge, though slight, over Maldon High in their top-of-the-pile Group 4 clash at STETHS.

Maldon High, who suffered three straight losses during a first-round wobble in Zone A, have won their last three matches with a 10-1 aggregate.

Group 5 heavyweights Glenmuir High and Manchester High will meet in what could be the “match of the day”, pitting two of the top three highest-scoring teams in the competition.

Glenmuir High appear back to their best with 14 goals in two games after failing to win any of their three play-off games. Against Manchester High they face one of the two teams left in the competition with a perfect win record.

— Paul A Reid