Defending champions Jamaica College will have to defeat rivals Kingston College if they want to retain their ISSA Manning Cup title after both secured semi-final wins at Stadium East today.
In the first semi-final, Jamaica College secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Charlie Smith.
JC took the lead through a clinical left-footed strike from Dwight Merrick in the 36th minute after a brilliant bit of work from Tarick Ximines to set him up.
Ximines then got a goal of his own to double their lead in the 67th minute and the scoring was completed by substitute Giovanni Mitto in the 92nd minute.
Kingston College came from behind twice to secure a 4-2 win over St. Andrew Technical in the second semi-final.
STATHS took advantage of a defensive mistake by KC and took the lead in the sixth minute through captain Omar Reid.
Their lead didn’t last long as KC equalized in the 11th minute through a right-footed strike from Jaheim Johnson.
A second defensive error by KC allowed Omar Laing to restore the lead for STATHS in the 21st minute.
KC began the second half with sustained pressure and it paid off when Ronardo Burgher made it 2-2 with a clinical header in the 60th minute.
They took the lead for the first time in the 69th minute when substitute Louis Watson headed home from a brilliant cross from captain Jemone Barclay to make it 3-2.
Christopher Pearson got a fourth goal with a magnificent free kick in the 74th minute to complete the scoring for KC and secure a 4-2 win and a spot in the final.
Jamaica College will be looking for their 31st hold on the Manning Cup title while Kingston College will be looking for their 16th in the final, which will be played on Saturday, January 22.