Clarke

After defending champions St George's College were held to a 2-2 draw by Camperdown at the Catherine Hall Stadium on Saturday, the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/LIME Manning Cup football competition moves into high gear with 12 games in three groups today.

The Group B contest between former champion Norman Manley High and St Jago High should steal the spotlight today.

Saturday's season opener saw St George's having to sweat for a result despite Cardel Bendow's brace (22nd, 86th), with Rohan Scott (37th) and Kevin Clarke (65th) getting the goals for Camperdown.

However, with the focus switching to Maxfield Park for today's Norman Manley/St Jago clash, returning Norman Manley coach Alrick Clarke, the man who guided the school to three Manning Cup titles is looking for something from his improving team.

"I have come back to Norman Manley after five years coaching at Calabar and Munro College and am comfortably coming back. After over two months with the team in training, they are not where I want them to be," said Clarke.

"I am still getting to know the players, and after this game against St Jago tomorrow (today), I will be able to make a better assessment of the team," he said. "St Jago has a good coach (Geoffrey Hewitt), so I am expecting a good game."

main players

The coach also disclosed that his main players include Stephan Smith, Phillip Nelson, Stephan Brown, and Adrian Morrison have all returned from last year's team that advanced to the second round.

Meanwhile, the St Jago camp is oozing with confidence as they expect to start on a winning note today.

St Jago's main players include Shawayne Barrett, Sanjay Clunis, Oshane Bish, Conaie Rose, Alex Gooden, Keino Allen, and Andrew Bailey.

Today's games:

Group A: Hydel vs Edith Dalton James at Caymanas playing field; Jonathan Grant vs Calabar at Jonathan Grant High; Ascot vs St Andrew Technical High School at Ascot High.

Group B: Excelsior vs Waterford at Excelsior High; Haile Selassie vs Cunmberland at Haile Selassie High; Norman Manley vs St Jago at Maxfield Park.

Group E: St Andrew College vs Bridgeport at Rockfort playing field; José Marti vs Jamaica College at Edward Seaga Sports Complex;

Group G: Innswood vs Meadowbrook at Chedwin Park; St Mary's College vs Trench Town at St Mary's College; and Campion College vs Holy Trinity at Campion College.

All games kick-off at 3:30 p.m.