STATHS, Vauxhall clash for semis spot

With Eltham High already in the ISSA/WATA Manning Cup semifinals, and Calabar High out of contention, the race for the remaining qualifying spot in Group B will be decided today when St Andrew Technical High (STATHS) and Vauxhall High meet at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium.

Eltham sit atop the group standings with a perfect six points and are guaranteed a spot in the final four regardless of the remaining group results.

STATHS and Vauxhall sit second and third, respectively, both on three points, however, STATHS hold the advantage with a better goal difference.

Calabar, rooted at the foot of the group, are still without either a win or a point.

STATHS kicked off their first round with a shock 4-1 defeat to Eltham, but recovered by turning back Calabar with a similar scoreline.

Vauxhall started their round with a close 1-0 win over Calabar, but stumbled in their second outing when they fell 2-0 to Eltham.

It will be the third meeting between STATHS and Vauxhall this season, as the two teams had met twice in the first round.

STATHS defeated Vauxhall 2-1 in their first meeting, before playing out a 1-1 draw in the second game.

Ahead of the game, Phillip Williams, STATHS head coach, said they will need to stay grounded when they face Vauxhall.

No stranger to his opponents, Williams is aware that it will not be a walk in the park for his boys.

“We have to stay grounded. Vauxhall are a good team and they have been playing well all season,” he said.

For STATHS, a win or draw will see them moving into the final four, as well as earning a spot in the ISSA Champions Cup competition.

Vauxhall, however, will need all three points if they are to book their spot in the semifinals and qualify for their first-ever Champions Cup campaign.

In the other game of the group, Eltham will be hoping they can close out the round with a perfect record when they travel to Calabar.

The St Catherine-based school are on a five-game unbeaten streak and will look to enter the semifinals with a strong performance at their back.

For Calabar, this meeting will be a game for pride as they have been eliminated from the Manning Cup, and will turn their attention to the quarterfinals of the ISSA Walker Cup knockout competition.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com

Vauxhall vs STATHS at Waterhouse Mini Stadium

Calabar vs Eltham at Calabar High

Both games will kick off at 3pm