Charlie Smith squeeze into final 16 with 2-1 win over Haile Selassie

CHARLIE SMITH High School grabbed the final round-of-16 automatic spot in this year’s ISSA/WATA Manning Cup after a hard-fought win over Haile Selassie High School at the Charlie Smith playfield yesterday.

The result meant Charlie Smith ended third in Zone B on 15 points, just one ahead of Haile Selassie, who came into the contest holding on to third place with 14.

Charlie Smith started fast, getting goals from Kevin Howell in the 17th minute before George Pringle doubled the lead in the 20th. Haile Selassie felt hope on the horizon when they pulled a goal back in the 36th minute through Terique Richie, but had no further joy as they watched the season slip away.

In the zone’s other game, leaders Kingston College and second-placed Tivoli Gardens played out a 0-0 draw to end on 27 and 20 points, respectively.

While Hydel High School, in Zone A, lost to St George’s College, to end fourth on 16 points, they still made the round of 16 as best fourth-placed finishers.

In other games today, St Jago and Excelsior played to a 2-2 draw, while St Catherine High School pipped Eltham 1-0.

The round of 16 will be made up of four groups, with the top two from each making it to the quarter-finals.

Excelsior, Tivoli, St Andrew Technical High School, and Wolmer’s find themselves in Group 1, while Kingston College, Calabar, Campion, and Hydel make up Group 2.

Group 3 is made up St Catherine, St George’s, Charlie Smith, and Vauxhall, while Group 4 comprises Mona, Jamaica College, Eltham, and St Jago.

Yesterday’s Results

St Jago 2-2 Excelsior

Hydel 3-4 St George’s

St Catherine 1-0 Eltham

Tivoli 0-0 KC

Charlie Smith 2-1 Haile Selassie

Round of 16 Groups

Group 1

Excelsior, Tivoli, St Andrew Technical High School, Wolmer’s

Group 2

Kingston College, Calabar, Campion, Hydel

Group 3

St Catherine, St George’s, Charlie Smith, Vauxhall

Group 4

Mona, Jamaica College, Eltham, St Jago