CALABAR High advanced to the top eight of the ISSA Manning Cup following a 4-2 whipping of Vauxhall High in Zone 2 action at Emmett Park on Thursday.

Calabar, who defeated Camperdown High 2-1 on Saturday, move to six points and are safely through to the quarter-finals. Kingston College, also on six points, defeated Camperdown 7-1 on Thursday to also progress.

Vauxhall and Camperdown are each without a point after two games and are eliminated.

Calabar, who are making their second-consecutive quarter-final appearance, turned in a workman-like performance to see off Vauxhall, with double strikes from Jaeden Frame (22nd and 68th) and Kimani Thompson (28th and 56th).

Serani Brown, who started as a centre-half but switched to the forward position in the second half, netted twice for Vauxhall in the 48th and 82nd minutes.

Although it was good win for Calabar, they were aided by some poor defending from Vauxhall, conceding almost every time from a set play.

But Kemar Ricketts, the Calabar coach, said they achieved their objective of making the next round.

“It was a wonderful performance from the boys. Unfortunately, we conceded the two goals. I always want a clean sheet, but they stuck in, they delivered,” said Ricketts.

Ricketts, in his first season at Calabar, beamed. “It’s a wonderful feeling”, he said, to advance to the top eight.

“It’s my first year at Calabar and these boys didn’t start in the best way that we wanted them to start. But we told them once we’re consistent, we’ll start playing good football and we’ll get there. Today was a testament of that of being resilient,” he said.

He continued: “We’re Lions, so we want to play like lions. The confidence has always been up. Every game is a final, that’s what we’re approaching. It’s one game at a time. Now we’ll try to get some recovery in tomorrow and then put some preparation in for the game.”

Calabar’s next game will be a top-of-the-table clash with Kingston College who lead the zone due to a better goal difference.

St Andrew Technical High School move to six points and are on the cusp of qualification after a 2-1 win over Wolmer’s Boys’, who are left on three points in Zone 3.

Champions Excelsior High booked their quarter-final spot with six points with a 3-1 win over St Catherine High (one point) in Zone 1. Mona High rekindled their hopes and moved into second spot on three points with an 8-1 demolition of St George’s College (one point).