Wolmer’s blank Hillel to advance to quarterfinals

Wolmer’s Boys’ School booked their place in the ISSA Manning Cup quarterfinals with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Hillel Academy in Zone Three action at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium yesterday.

Jude Davis opened the scoring for the Wolmerians in the 53rd minute before Damar Smith sealed all three points with a strike eight minutes later.

The result saw Wolmer’s finish second in the zone on six points, behind zone winners St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS), who completed a perfect campaign with nine points.

St Jago High and Hillel finished third and fourth, respectively, both on one point.

Wolmer’s head coach Haron Martin praised his team for achieving their objective of reaching the final eight.

“First and foremost, I’m very blessed and elated for this victory. It has been around four or five years since Wolmer’s have been to the quarterfinals so we are very happy to get the job done today.”

It was all Wolmer’s for most of the contest as they dominated proceedings from the opening whistle.

They had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the eighth minute when Kyle Hussey dribbled past two defenders on the flank before playing the ball into the path of Kevaughn Halloway.

Halloway, however, failed to hit the target, blasting over the crossbar from close range.

The Wolmerians threatened again when Hussey was sent through on the wing, but his effort forced a save from Hillel goalkeeper Levi Clarke before the defence cleared the danger.

That pattern continued throughout the first half as Wolmer’s created several chances, but wasteful finishing, coupled with a strong performance from Clarke, ensured the teams went into the break scoreless.

Wolmer’s corrected their finishing after the restart and Davis put them ahead with a stunning strike.

The midfielder collected the ball in midfield following a poor defensive clearance and unleashed a powerful effort that nestled in the back of the net.

If the first goal showcased individual brilliance, the second highlighted excellent teamwork.

Smith brought down a long ball with a deft touch before playing it across the face of goal for Kishawn Lewis.

Under pressure, Lewis wisely allowed the ball to run through to Hussey, whose shot was saved by Clarke.

However, the rebound fell kindly to Smith, who had continued his run and tapped into the empty net.

In the second game of the double-header, Kingston College (KC) edged perennial rivals Calabar 1-0 in a closely contested encounter.

Zone One qualifiers

In Zone One action, Mona High secured their place in the next round with a convincing 4-0 victory over St Catherine High.

Jamaica College (JC) also advanced after earning a 1-1 draw against Zone Four winners Eltham High.

The Manning Cup quarterfinals are scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday’s results

Camperdown 0-1 Vauxhall

Calabar 0-1 KC

Eltham 1-1 JC

Norman Manley 4-2 Tivoli

St Catherine 0-4 Mona

St George’s 1-2 Excelsior

STATHS 5-0 St Jago

Hillel 0-2 Wolmer’s

Manning Cup quarterfinal groups

Group A

Wolmer’s

Excelsior

Calabar

Eltham

Group B

Jamaica College

STATHS

Kingston College

Mona