Ten-man STATHS edge Mona

St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) took a giant step towards qualifying for the semi-finals of the ISSA/Manning Cup competition with a hard-fought 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Mona High at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium yesterday.

STATHS were led to victory by Marvin Henry who scored in the 21st and 60th minutes. Franklin Micham had earlier put Mona in the lead in the 16th minute.

STATHS played the last 31 minutes of the game with ten men after defender Howard Linton received a second yellow in the 59th minute.

The victory lifted the Philip Williams-coached STATHS, who last won the title in 1987, to four points from two games the same as Kingston College (KC). They are followed by Jamaica College (JC) on two while Mona remain without a point from two games.

Mona, who last captured the Manning Cup title in 2023, started the match confidently and took an early lead when Mitcham arrived in the centre of the box to side the ball into the back of the net past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Renardo Grant.

However, STATHS quickly found their rhythm as they levelled the scoring due a brilliant individual effort from Henry. The skilful Henry produced a brilliant right-footed volley from 12-yards. STATHS went on to dominate the reminder of the first half but they failed to score a second goal as the first half ended 1-1.

STATHS were reduced to ten players 14 minutes in the second period as Linton was sent off after picking up a straight red card for violent conduct.

However, despite going a man down, STATHS still managed to take the lead a minute later, when Henry collected a pass just inside the 18-yard box and fired home past the goalkeeper.

The Bumper Hall-based STATHS got several other scoring chances in the second period but they failed to convert.

In the second match of the doubleheader JC and KC played out an exciting 1-1 draw.

Delajahe McCormack gave JC the lead in the 11th minute before striker Shareef Ricketts netted the equaliser for KC in the 40th minute.