Defending champion Jamaica College (JC) booked their semi-final spot in the Flow ISSA Manning Cup with a comprehensive 3-1 win over Wolmer’s Boys yesterday at the Constant Spring Field.
JC which started the day in second spot in Group H, leapfrogged Wolmer’s into top spot on seven points, one more than the boys from Heroes Circle on six points.
Holy Trinity which defeated Vauxhall High 2-1 claimed third spot on four points. Vauxhall was pointless after the completion of the three second round games.
JC will now meet Group I winner Denham Town in one semi-final while Group K winner Jonathan Grant await the Group J winner which could be St George’s College (six points), Kingston College (three points) or St Jago High (three points).
Wolmer’s Boys which needed just a draw or a single point to knock the champions out of this year’s Manning Cup, succumbed to the pressure, looked comfortable up to half time and were just 45 minutes away from securing their spot in the semi-final.
But once they conceded in the 51st minute after giving up a penalty, which was expertly converted by Zeron Sewell, the writing was on the wall and they crumpled under the pressure of expectation.
JC went further ahead in the 56th minute when Tyreek Magee’s freekick eluded everyone including goalkeeper Shamar Jemison.
Wolmer’s gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Rojay Smith converted a penalty in the 66th minute but their dreams quickly vanished as Malik Howell fired home in the 71st minute to seal JC victory.
In the curtain raiser, Jabari Howell and Keno Clare netted for Holy Trinity in the 11th and 52nd minutes respectively while Jordon Batson replied for Vauxhall with fourth minute strike.
