JC, STATHS clash to decide Manning group winners
Published:Friday | November 11, 2022 | 5:57 AM
A Jamaica College (JC) and St Andrew Technical High School clash in the latter stages of the Manning Cup is not only an anticipated matchup but one, it appears, that should be expected yearly.
As it was in 2019, the two schools will meet to decide the winners of their ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup quarter-final Group B in the final game of the round this afternoon. Kick-off time is at 3 p.m at Stadium East.
Both teams are on six points and have already qualified for the semi-finals of the Manning Cup as well as the Champions Cup, adding more chances for silverware to their respective seasons.
For STATHS head coach Philip Williams, the fact that his school has been in so many meaningful games against the many-time Manning Cup champions at this stage of the season speaks to the quality of the programme that he has built since 2017.
“A couple of years ago you wouldn’t have these clashes with JC and STATHS so that speaks volumes to the progress that our programme has made over a couple of seasons,” Williams said after their 1-0 win over Wolmer’s on Tuesday.
The schools met in the Manning Cup finals in 2017 and 2019, with JC coming out as the victors in each case. In their final quarter-final game in 2019, STATHS defeated JC 2-1 to win the group. However, last season’s quarter-final saw JC outlast STATHS in an eight-goal thriller.
It is a fixture that has always entertained and Williams said that the fixture will gauge how good his team is as they enter the final stages of the season.
“I am certain that my boys would want to put their best foot forward. It doesn’t matter that we have qualified for the semi-finals,” Williams said. “Playing against JC, a quality team, is a good test to see how good our programme is.”
For JC, it will be another encounter for them to gauge their readiness for the final stretch as they search for yet another title. Head coach Davion Ferguson has already played his trump card with the return of Tarick Ximines, a member of the team that lost last year’s final to Kingston College and has since got experience from the local top flight, and also with the national team. Ferguson, who registered him last August, said that the time was right to bring him back to make their final push.
“I think that the timing is excellent. We wanted him to have enough time leading into the final few games of the season,” Ferguson said. “At this stage of the competition, we have to utilise all bodies. Each one gives you a push and I think he will definitely give us a push.”
Meanwhile, already-eliminated Wolmer’s and Haile Selassie will play each other at the same time at Ashenheim Stadium in a game merely for pride as both schools will turn their attention to the Walker Cup next week.
Today’s Games
Jamaica College vs STATHS - 3 p.m. at Stadium East
Wolmer’s Boys vs Haile Selassie - 3 p.m. at Jamaica College