STATHS, Calabar in fight for survival

FOLLOWING RESPECTIVE defeats in their opening ISSA/WATA Manning Cup quarter-final round games, St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) and Calabar High will be hunting for their first win when they meet today at Stadium East.

Their clash will be the opening game of a double-header, with Charlie Smith taking on Jamaica College (JC) in the afternoon’s curtain closer.

STATHS, who are in chase of their first Manning Cup title since 1987, fell to just their second defeat this season when they were turned back 4-1 by a rampaging Eltham High.

Led by head coach Phillip Williams, STATHS will be confident they can put the poor result behind them and get their season back on track.

Speaking ahead of the game, Williams said the result against Eltham is firmly behind them and they have their eyes set on Calabar.

“We are at the stage of the competition where we have three games to qualify for the semi-finals,” he said.

“We lost the first one, so there is no time for us to be lingering on the result of the Eltham game, but to be focused on our next opponent, which is Calabar.

“That result is now behind us and we definitely need to go for a win tomorrow because, at this stage, that is what is needed.”

Williams, who is no stranger to the final stages of the Manning Cup competition, said they are now in a must-win situation.

However, he is confident his players can recover, and said the loss against Eltham was just a slight misstep in their campaign.

“We’ve definitely put ourselves in a position where there are two games remaining, and those are must-win games for us.

“The guys look upbeat for the game. They know that the game against Eltham, and not taking anything away from Eltham, was just a glitch in our season and we’re looking to put things right tomorrow.”

The second game of the afternoon will be the opposite, as Charlie Smith and JC, who both won their opening games, will put their record on the line.

Both teams had recorded 2-1 wins in their opening game, with Charlie Smith coming from behind to defeat Hydel, while JC left it late in a close affair against Excelsior.

Charlie Smith are hunting for their first Manning Cup title in 30 years, which also coincides with the school’s 50th anniversary.

Head coach Eugene Williams said it would bring much joy to the school community if they could bring home the coveted crown.

“It’s been 30 years now since we last won the Manning Cup back in 1995. Then again, the school is 50 years old this year, so if we could win this Manning Cup, it would be a joy,” he said.

“If we can be successful, I’m telling you it would be a pleasure for those in the community who come out and support us.”

JC are looking to reclaim the title they last held in 2023, after a trophyless 2024 campaign.

Over at the Spanish Town Prison Oval, it will be a battle of the dark horses as giant killers Eltham will face off against the rising force of Vauxhall.

Eltham are looking to put yet another win under their belt following their triumph over STATHS, but the Kyle Butler-led Vauxhall are expected to put up a fierce challenge as they look for a semi-finals berth.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals of the Manning Cup, while the teams that fail to advance will instead contest the quarter-finals of the ISSA Walker Cup knockout competition.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

STATHS vs Calabar at Stadium East (2pm)

Charlie Smith vs JC at Stadium East (4:15pm)

Eltham vs Vauxhall at Prison Oval (3pm)