EXCELSIOR High School Head Coach Keon Broderick says they are determined to make a serious attempt at reaching the final of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition.

Excelsior, who have been in strong form this season, wrapped up the second round in style with a 5-1 thrashing of Jonathan Grant at Courtney Walsh Oval in Kingston on Saturday.

Excelsior were led to victory by a hat-trick from Kimarly Scott. Jonathan Grant’s defenders put the ball in their own net for the other goals.

With this victory Excelsior went unbeaten in the second round, finishing atop Group B and advancing to the quarter-finals with nine points from three matches. They will be joined in the quarter-finals by Tivoli Gardens who also qualified from Group B with four points, the same as Eltham. However, Tivoli Gardens advanced due to their +1 goal difference over Eltham. Jonathan Grant finished at the bottom of the group with no points.

Broderick says they are satisfied about reaching the quarter-finals.

“It feels good to be in the quarter-finals because for the past two or three years we haven’t made it this far, so to make it this year is something we see as an achievement,” he said. “But, we don’t believe that it stops here. We are now fully focused on the quarter-finals, advancing beyond them, and aiming higher.

“We didn’t enter this competition just to participate, because if we wanted to do that we have physical education at the school. So, we are here to compete and we want to win a title — and that is our goal.”

Broderick says some of his players are dealing with minor injuries but he remains optimistic they will be ready for the quarter-finals.

“We’re looking good going into the quarter-finals, despite a few injuries, but in terms of how we want to play, we are set. Tactically, in possession and out of possession, we are looking sharp, and I know my boys will be ready for the next round.”

Saturday’s results:

St Catherine 1, Jamaica College 1

Calabar 3, Charlie Smith 0

Eltham 2, Tivoli Gardens 2

Excelsior 5, Jonathan Grant 1