Hillel Academy produced the biggest win of Tuesday’s ISSA Manning Cup action, crushing Clan Carthy High 7-0 to secure their place in the second round of the competition.

The victory saw Hillel join Norman Manley High, Camperdown High, Edith Dalton James High, Denham Town High and Jose Marti High among the six teams already through to the knockout phase.

With only three spots remaining, the battle for qualification is intensifying, with Bridgeport High and Greater Portmore High leading the race in Zone A and Innswood High currently holding the advantage in Zone B.

Hillel, competing in only their second season of Manning Cup football, moved to 11 points in Zone B with Tuesday’s emphatic victory. Jose Marti remained in control of the zone on 13 points after edging Innswood High 2-1.

Innswood remain third on seven points from five matches and have just one game left to secure their passage. However, they are under pressure from Penwood High, St Mary’s College and Papine High, who are all on six points.

Penwood and Papine have an added advantage, with both teams having a game in hand over Innswood.

In Zone A, Camperdown High strengthened their grip on top spot with a narrow 1-0 victory over Greater Portmore High. The win lifted Camperdown to 15 points, while Greater Portmore remained third on seven points. Bridgeport High, who were inactive on Tuesday, sit second on nine points.

Norman Manley High, the first team to qualify for the second round, wrapped up their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Denham Town High. Norman Manley finished with 16 points from all their fixtures, while Denham Town moved to 11 points — enough to secure their spot in the next round.

Kingston Technical, meanwhile, saw their hopes of advancing end after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Pembroke Hall High.

The result left Kingston Technical fourth on five points and out of contention, while Pembroke Hall remained fifth on four points as the battle for the final qualification spots continued.

— Howard Walker