Manchester host champs Clarendon in Ben Francis Cup quarter-finals

Defending champions Clarendon College and Manchester High are to meet in the quarter-final of the ISSA Ben Francis Cup at Manchester High in Mandeville this afternoon. Manchester High and Clarendon College, who are both yet to concede a goal, are coming off 2-0 victories over tough opposition. Both round-of- 16 games were won in similar fashion, scoring early and holding off their opponents.

After sitting out the first round, Clarendon College defeated May Day High 7-0 before getting by Ocho Rios High 2-0 at Drax Hall on Wednesday. Manchester High, who were beaten at this stage by Cornwall College last year, avenged that loss on Tuesday, beating the former champions and last season’s finalists 2-0. Prior to that, Manchester had defeated Lennon High 7-0 and Titchfield High 8-0.

Elsewhere, Glenmuir High and McGrath High are to face off in a meeting of former champions, while 2002 winners Old Harbour High are to face Dinthill Technical. Munro College and Denbigh High are also set to clash for a spot in next weekend’s semi-finals. Glenmuir got the better of Kemps Hill High on Wednesday, beating them on penalties after they had played out a 0-0 regulation time score.

They face last season’s semi-finalists McGrath, who will be back to full strength after goalkeeper Rojaun Wines served a one-game suspension in their 2-1 win over Christiana High on Wednesday. Wines had been sent off in the 5-1 win over Central High on Monday. Dark horse Denbigh High will have their sights set on another upset win when they go to Munro College who had to come from behind on Wednesday to beat Manning’s School.

After beating Yallahs High 5-0 in their first-round game, Denbigh High created the biggest upset so far by dumping St Elizabeth Technical from the competition. Denbigh followed up with a slim 1-0 win over Porus High on Wednesday. Whether they will have enough left to get by Munro College is yet to be seen as the hosts have been flying in schoolboy football this season, winning all six games in the daCosta Cup first round, while scoring 36 goals.

Munro dispatched highly regarded Frome Technical 5-0 at their base in Westmoreland in the second round Ben Francis Cup game. Izion Frazer and Kajaye Williams have been responsible for most of Munro College’s goals and will be expected to lead the charge again. Old Harbour have managed to keep under the radar despite wins over Rusea’s Hi…