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JC, STATHS keen to win top-of-the-table clash
October 16, 2025
Former champions Jamaica College (JC) and St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) will meet in today's top-of-the-table clash in Zone C of the ISSA/WATA Manning Cup competition.
The game will be played at Richard Ashenheim Stadium on the school's Old Hope Road campus, starting at 3 p.m. In the group's other game, Camperdown High will host Vauxhall High at Alpha Boys' Home.
JC, who last won the title in 2022, lead the zone with 23 points and a superior goal difference ahead of STATHS, who are also on 23 points. The 'Dark Blues' have netted a prolific 53 goals while conceding just one, while STATHS have scored 45 goals and conceded four. They are followed by Vauxhall on 17 points and Camperdown on 12.
The top two, along with Vauxhall have all advanced to the quarter-finals, while Camperdown have failed to progress to the next stage of the competition.
In their first meeting this season, JC and STATHS played out a nil-all draw. However, JC's coach Raymond Watson said his team is determined to secure all three points today.
"Even though both teams have already qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition it is definitely going to be a very interesting game and based on the rivalry that has developed between both teams, I don't think anyone wants to lose to each other," said Watson.
"I think that we definitely want to maintain a winning mentality going into the next round, so definitely, we are looking to have the three points."
Watson added that his team has not played to their full potential so far this season, but he expects improvement as they move deeper into the competition.
"We are trying to get there and I believe that as this competition progresses we will definitely get better. We are trying to put the pieces together and based on what has happened over the first round, I think we are 50 or 60 per cent of what we would like to be now."
Dwayne Burger, who has netted 10 goals this season, along with his strike partner Kishawn Lee-Chin, who has nine, and team captain Dante Logan, will lead the JC charge.
STATHS' head coach, Phillip Williams, is confident they will put on a strong showing.
"We do plan and prepare for each game separately and try to execute our game plan at all times, and this game is no different," said Williams. "We are always confident, but that does not guarantee a positive result. We always give every game our 100 per cent effort and accept whatever result once we know we have given our best."
Williams added that his team has been making steady progress and is now focused on the next phase of the championships.
"We want to play our best at all times no matter the opponent or the stage of the competition. Our priority at this point is to nurse back those who are injured, which may include resting players from games, and to do the necessary recovery procedures to have the strongest squad for the next round where it matters most since we have already done enough to qualify," he said.
"The completion of the fixture is, however, important, and we will definitely honour the fixture with an honest effort," Williams pointed out.
In Zone C, another massive showdown is expected when Mona High host Calabar High in their battle for the top spot.
Mona High, who are unbeaten so far this season, lead the zone with a perfect 27 points from nine games, followed by Calabar High on 24, Wolmer's on 15, and Ascot on 10.
In the group's other match, Wolmer's Boys' will play away to Ascot High School in Portmore, St Catherine.
