WITH the finalists of the 2012 Walker Cup decided, the Manning Cup resumed with second round action.

Group H

Excelsior High and Spanish Town High stepped out as early pacesetters by registering victories in their first games of the round. Playing against a Calabar High team that appears to be weaker than teams past, Excelsior registered a comfortable 2-0 win thanks to goals from Ojay Bedward and Tevin Jackson, while Spanish Town managed to edge Donald Quarrie 2-1 in their encounter.

Doubling the advantage given by an own goal in the first half, Nathaniel Leslie’s strike proved to be the difference between the two teams, as Marvin Gregory scored the consolation. Both matches were played at the Constant Spring Sports Complex.

Group I

Touted as the second round ‘Group of Death’, it was Kingston College that sit atop the standings.

Despite victory and the all-important three points, the young men from KC will be kicking themselves for their lacklustre performance against Denham Town High. After racing out to a comfortable 2-0 lead within the first 15 minutes through strikes from Owayne Stone and Allan Morgan, KC found themselves level at the break with Maurice Wilson and Rayon Fogo scoring totally against the run of play.

In the second half, KC was expected to dominate and register a comfortable victory but in the end it was Lincoln Henry’s strike that separated the two teams, KC winning 3-2.

In the evening’s second encounter, Hydel High and Jamaica College could only manage a 0-0 draw. Both teams will consider themselves unfortunate not to score, pulling together great chances for what would certainly have been the winning goal but in the end they were left facing an uphill task if either of them are to advance to the semi-final round.

Group J

A 2-0 victory over Holy Trinity High pushed defending champions St George’s College into the lead and in prime position to clinch the top spot of the group. With Charlie Smith (arguably their biggest threat in the group) registering 1-1 and 0-0 results against Holy Trinity and Camperdown respectively, the group is already shaping up to be there.

Though Charlie Smith and Holy Trinity are all but out at the moment (both having played two games for two points and one point respectively), Camperdown High will be hoping to make the most of their final two fixtures and dethrone St George’s.

Group K

After brushing aside Bridgeport High 5-1 and playing to a 0-0 draw with Wolmer’s, Norman Manley High, on four points, leads the group though only on goal difference ahead of Wolmer’s who won their opening encounter 3-1 against Innswood.

Not wanting to be forgotten just yet, Innswood bounced back with a 1-0 win over Bridgeport High, thus kicking them off of the competition.

As it stands, Norman Manley High, Wolmer’s Boys and Innswood High are all still in a position to clinch top spot in the group which sets up a very interesting final slate of games.

— Devaro Bolton