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Lyle, Howell power JC into semifinals
December 10, 2025
A brace each from Jamone Lyle and Jabarie Howell was enough for Jamaica College (JC) to book their spot in the semifinals of the ISSA/WATA Manning Cup as they cruised past Charlie Smith High 4-0 in comfortable fashion at the Stadium East field yesterday.
Also advancing to the semifinals are surprise team Eltham High who blanked Vauxhall High 2-0.
In the first match of a double header at the Stadium East field, St Andrew Technical High (STATHS) returned to their very best as they turned back Calabar 4-1 to remain in contention for a semifinal spot.
A brace from Marvin Henry, along with strikes from Justin Johnson and Kennardo Gordon, handed all three points to STATHS, while O'Bryan Marks scored Calabar's only goal of the afternoon.
In the day's feature game, Lyle netted in the fifth and 40th minutes, while Howell scored in the 47th and 56th to lift JC past Charlie Smith.
JC's coach, Raymond Watson, said their game plan was to score early in both halves to break Charlie Smith's spirit and take control of the game.
"I thought we did well by scoring the goals and also our build-up play and how we executed," Watson said.
"I think this was one of our best performances for the season. One of the objectives was trying to score early and we achieved that. The second half, the other objective was try to get another goal and we achieved that."
JC were quick off the mark as Lyle's speculative effort from distance surprisingly trickled across the line after a goalkeeping error from Julis Clarke.
Howell doubled JC's lead just before the half-time whistle in a show of individual brilliance.
Picking up the ball inside his own half, Howell sprinted past one marker, sat down a second, rounded the goalkeeper and walked the ball into the net to double JC's lead.
They started the second half just like they did the first as Lyle netted with the first five minutes of the contest, this time finishing from close range
Howell secured the result and a spot in the next round with a well-hit effort from just outside the box that was too hot to handle for Clarke between the sticks.
With the result, JC move atop Group A standings with a perfect six points, ahead of Charlie Smith, three, and Excelsior and Hydel, both without a point.
Over in Group B, Eltham also secured their spot in the semifinals as they picked up their second win of the round at the Spanish Town Prison Oval.
Eltham maintained their spot atop Group B with six points, ahead of STATHS and Vauxhall, both on three, and Calabar, who have been eliminated from the Manning Cup, still without a point.
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
STATHS 4-1 Calabar
Eltham 2-0 Vauxhall
Charlie Smith 0-4 JC
TODAY'S GAME
3 p.m: Hydel vs Excelsior - Spanish Town Prison Oval
