St George's Marvin Morgan - File

Jamaica College (JC), fresh from their Walker Cup triumph, will meet Calabar in the feature match of a double-header at the Constant Spring Complex today at 1p.m.

The JC and Calabar clash will signal the start of the second round of the ISSA/Peps Manning Cup competition. The other game at the complex will see the defending champions St George's College opposing Wolmer's starting 3 p.m.

JC, who won their first hold on the Walker Cup last Friday when they defeated St George's College, will be hoping to add the Manning Cup trophy to their silverware. They last won that competition in 2007.

Ian Forbes, manager/coach of JC, said the school is hoping to begin the round on a positive note. "We will be taking this match very seriously because it's now down to the top teams in the competition and we are not going to take them lightly," said Forbes.

well-prepared

He added that his players are still very tired from the gruelling Walker Cup schedule in which they had to play three matches in four days. "They are well-prepared for this stage of the competition, but they are still extremely tired and I am hoping that they can still put on a good showing for us," Forbes said.

The dark blues will be depending heavily on the likes of their inspirational midfielder Ashani Walker along with Andre Sterling, Nicholas Scott and Andre Messam, who all played pivotal roles in their Walker Cup victory.

Meanwhile Alrick Clarke, coach of Calabar, said he is confident of victory. "Here is where it matters most because this is quarter-finals and everybody wants to win and so we will have to put our best foot forward to get all three points."

Clarke added: "I know that JC have similar thoughts but we just have to go out there and work hard for the 90-minutes and hopefully we can come away with all three points."

Calabar, who last won the Manning Cup in 2005, will rest their hopes in the hands of strikers Richard Edite and Kavasi Bloomfield, along with midfielders Dane Ewers and Kyle Scott.

a mouth-watering contest

Meanwhile, the second encounter between St George's and Wolmer's is expected to be a mouth-watering contest, as both teams are evenly matched in all the departments.

Neville 'Bertis' Bell, coach of St George's, said they will be going all-out for the victory. "We have to go after the Manning Cup because were disappointed that we lost out the Walker Cup and this is the only title we have left to win," said Bell shortly after his team was beaten by JC in the Walker Cup final on Friday.

Michael Francis, coach of Wolmer's, says he is expecting an exciting match from their opponents.

"This is a very crucial for us but I am expecting both teams to come and play some good attractive football and may the best team win," said Francis. "We have to make sure the we pass the ball around and put away our chances whenever they arrive," Francis added.

Wolmer's Boys forward Christopher Waugh (left). - File