Manning’s School Head Coach Patrick Graham was grateful after his team beat former champions Cornwall College 1-0 to qualify for the Round of 16 in the ISSA daCosta Cup football competition in Montego Bay on Saturday.

A first-half goal from Rajon McKenzie secured Manning’s School’s fourth straight win in Group 6, taking them to 12 points and securing their place in the next round. Frome Technical, McGrath High, and Clarendon College also qualified after recording four straight wins.

The four schools joined Lacovia High, who had qualified on Friday.

After watching helplessly as Hurricane Melissa wrecked their season last year, Graham said qualifying for the next round was a relief.

“We know we had a programme, we had a plan last year but the hurricane would have disrupted them,” Graham told the Sunday Observer. “Now we have a chance this year to go again, and you know, kudos to the team, the boys, they came out this year fighting and they have done well.

“Praises to the set of boys that we have this afternoon and this season, we couldn’t ask them for more. The commitment, it is there. The camaraderie, it is there. The cohesiveness, it is there, and that is what we are asking for.”

Asked how far he thought his team could go this season, Graham said they were not setting limits.

“Honestly, we are going to push them, you know, we don’t want to put a limitation to say that we are going to go there, but as far as we can go, we will take it,” he said. “We just have to take it one game at a time, and that is what we are doing.”

Cornwall had several scoring chances but failed to take advantage, particularly in the second half when they hit the woodwork and had several near misses.

Mannings School head coach Patrick Graham (Photo: Paul A Reid)

A mistake just before half-time proved costly. Cornwall failed twice to clear the ball from their area, allowing McKenzie, who was trailing the play, to fire through a crowd of players and into the goal.

Fresh from their win over Munro College on Thursday, Frome Technical dealt defending champions St Elizabeth Technical High School’s title defence a blow with a 4-2 win in Santa Cruz.

Tariq Maxwell, Antwayne Campbell, Marquez Dunn, and Raheem Dennison scored for Frome Technical.

Munro College rebounded with a 4-1 win over Maggotty High to move back into second place on nine points.

McGrath High secured their place in the Round of 16 from Group 4 after edging Dinthill Technical 2-1 at Dinthill. Joshua Wilson opened the scoring in the 17th minute before Jimm Mitchell added a second in the 71st minute. Omanie Morrison gave Dinthill hope when he scored in the 78th minute.

Clarendon College booked their place with a 1-0 win over Christiana High in Group 5, while Manchester High blanked Porus High 6-0 and Edwin Allen High and Lennon High drew 1-1.

Ben Francis Cup champions Glenmuir High moved into second place in Group 2 after blanking Old Harbour High 5-0.

Kemps Hill High, semi-finalists last season, took over the lead in Group 3 with a 2-0 win over Garvey Maceo High. They are on 10 points, while St Mary High beat Denbigh High 2-1.