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‘That result is behind us’ - STATHS looking to banish Eltham blunder when they face Calabar
December 09, 2025
After a shock 4-1 defeat to Eltham High School in their first match of the ISSA/WATA Manning Cup quarterfinal round, St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) will look to rebound when they face Calabar High School today at Stadium East.
Their meeting will be the first game of a doubleheader at the venue as in the day's headlining event, Charlie Smith Comprehensive High will face many-time champions Jamaica College (JC).
Phillip Williams, STATHS' head coach, said despite the heavy defeat on Saturday, his players have put the result behind them and are now focused on getting a positive result.
"We lost the first one so there is no time for us to be lingering on the result of the Eltham game, but to be focused on our next opponent, which is Calabar," he said.
"That result is now behind us and we definitely need to go for a win tomorrow because at this stage that is what is needed."
He remains confident in his team's chances of lifting the Manning Cup trophy at the end of the season and said their previous defeat was just a "glitch" in their campaign.
The onus is on them now, as he said their remaining two games are must-win encounters if they are to advance to the final four.
"We've definitely put ourselves in a position where there are two games remaining and those are must-win games for us," Williams said.
"The guys look upbeat for the game. They know that the game against Eltham, and not taking anything away from Eltham, was just a glitch in our season and we're looking to put things right tomorrow."
It is a similar story for Calabar, who are on a quest to lay claim to the Manning Cup title.
The boys from Red Hills Road last lifted the trophy in 2005, and their head coach Jeremy Miller is eager to once again bring schoolboy football glory to their campus.
CHARLIE SMITH VS JC
In the second encounter of the afternoon, Charlie Smith will look for their second win of the round when they face off against schoolboy football giants JC.
Led by head coach Eugene Williams, Charlie Smith will be hoping they can continue their quest for the school's fourth Manning Cup title, and their first in 30 years.
Lining up across from them, however, will be an institution that lives and breathes Manning Cup success.
JC lead the way with the most Manning Cup titles in the competition's history, 31, and are hoping to reclaim the crown they last won in 2023.
At Spanish Town Prison Oval, Eltham High will be hoping to add yet another big win under their belt, when they face off against the fast-rising Vauxhall High, led by head coach Kyle Butler.
Vauxhall beat Calabar 1-0 on Saturday and will also look to win, and secure their spot in the semifinals.
