Former champions Cornwall College and McGrath High will meet for the second time in less than two weeks, this time at Drax Hall, St Ann, with a place in the final of the ISSA Ben Francis Cup final at stake.

Cornwall College won their previous meeting in the daCosta Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, December 6, while in the other game, set to be played at the St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) Sports Complex, another former winner, Clarendon College, and Manning’s School will square off.

Today’s winners will qualify for Saturday’s final at the National Stadium, preceding the daCosta Cup decider.

The four remaining teams in the Ben Francis Cup qualified after contrasting wins in Tuesday’s quarter-finals. Cornwall came from a goal down to beat Manchester High 4-2 on penalties after they finished 1-1 in regulation.

McGrath High were 4-1 winners over Ocho Rios High; Clarendon College edged Garvey Maceo High 1-0; and Manning’s dumped Christiana High out of the competition, beating them 2-1 at Manchester High.

Cornwall, who are tied with STETHS and Glenmuir High with seven wins each, beat McGrath 2-0 in the daCosta Cup quarter-final game played in Montego Bay, despite finishing with 10 players.

Today, Cornwall are expected to be back to full strength after playing without Shakeem Gibson, who sat out Tuesday’s nail-biting win over Manchester after he was sent off in time added in their 1-1 draw with Glenmuir on Saturday.

Gibson’s return is expected to add some quality to the attack that lacked a cutting edge against Manchester, and he is expected to combine with Carlondo Morris, who has not scored in regulation time in their last two games.

McGrath, the champions two years ago, who are seeking to qualify for a third straight final, exploded for four goals against Ocho Rios on Tuesday after going four games without scoring and will have momentum on their side in today’s game.

Romario Williams scored twice on Tuesday, while Jimm Mitchell, their top scorer in the last two seasons, and Isaac Mason also got on the score sheet.

Clarendon, who were finalists last season, losing to STETHS, have managed to advance from stage to stage while staying below the radar and will hope to be able to add to their many trophies.

Manning’s will feel they have something to prove after picking up a point from their three Round-of-16 games, a 3-3 draw against Manchester in what was a game of academic interest only.

After getting a bye to the quarter-finals, Manning’s got by Christiana High on Tuesday and will be hoping to get to their first Ben Francis Cup final with a win today.

Thursday’s Games

Cornwall College vs McGrath High — Drax Hall

Clarendon College vs Manning’s School — STETHS