Eltham book semi-final spot as Excelsior face elimination
Eltham High became the first team to reach the ISSA Manning Cup semi-final with a hard-fought 2-0 win over champions Excelsior High at the Waterhouse Stadium, while Calabar High rekindled their hopes with a 2-1 win over Wolmer’s Boys as Group A takes shape.
Eltham High, which had defeated Calabar in their opening game have surged to maximum six points from their two games and booked their spot in the semi-final for the second year running.
Calabar High are in second spot on three points with Wolmer’s Boys and Excelsior sitting on a point each in third and fourth, respectively. Excelsior are now in a must-win situation when they face Calabar on Tuesday, or they will relinquish their title.
Eltham, with arguably the most lethal striker in schoolboy football in their ranks, Santana Headley, opened the scoring with a beauty in the 65th minute with a screamer from 30 metres. He collected a pass from a freekick and unleashed a venomous shot that gave the best goalkeeper in the Manning Cup, Jamari Gordon, absolutely no chance.
It was a goal that deserved to win any game from the competition’s leading scorer who has taken his tally to 13 goals. He scored six times against Tivoli Gardens in the Round of 16.
Gordon, clearly disoriented by that goal that whistled past him, blundered in the 90+1 minute, handing Andrew Anderson a gift; he accepted, rounded him, and slotted home to seal the victory.
Meanwhile, Calabar High defeated Wolmer’s Boys 2-1 in the curtain raiser and jumped into second spot on three points.
Jaeden Frame (22nd) and Jaiquin Bryan (33rd) gave the boys from Red Hills Road a crucial win and put them into the second qualifying spot for what would be their first semi-final in decades. However, the job is not done, as they will face the champions, Excelsior, hanging on by a thread and very dangerous.
Christopher Reid replied for Wolmer’s Boys in the 82nd minute, leaving the boys from Heroes Circle with a lot to do, sitting in third spot on a point and a must-win game against a tough Eltham team.
Excelsior’s fate is now out of their hands, as they can beat Calabar on Tuesday and still not qualify as Wolmer’s Boys can do likewise against the already qualified Eltham High.
