C'down, Wolmer's in Manning Cup last eight.

Christopher Bender, coach of Camperdown High and Wolmer’s Boys coach, Alex Thomas, both expressed delight after their teams booked berths in the quarterfinals of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition, following contrasting second round results at the Stadium East field yesterday.

Camperdown, who last won the competition in 1982, secured their place in the next round of the competition, after a thrilling 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Excelsior. This after both teams ended 1-1 on aggregate after the two legs of the round of 16 tie.

Camperdown won the first leg 1-0 but they were beaten 1-0 by Excelsior in full time, which resulted in game going to a penalty shoot-out.

Camperdown held their nerves in the shoot-out with Shaquille Bradford, Altiman Gordon, Jeovanni Laing and Basil Trelevan converting from the spot.

Rohan Beadle and Kareem Williams were on target for Excelsior but Javone Francis and Tajhay Williams missed their spot kicks.

Bender said the victory means a lot to his team because they have been moving from strength to strength this season.

RESILIENT

“We showed a lot of resilience as we dug deep because we were never at our best in this game,” said Bender.

“This (getting past the second round) has been eluding us over the years and so I am happy that we are over it now,” he said. “This is a young team and so this a good lesson for them going forward in the competition,” Bender said.

In the second match of the double-header, Wolmer’s, who last won the competition in 1994, secured their spot in the quarterfinals after an easy 3-1 victory. The Heroes Circle-based institution won the tie 4-1 on aggregate.

Rivaldo Mitchell (17th) Dwayne Allen (51st) and Nickache Murray (79th) were the scorers for Wolmer’s Boys. Jermaine Lyons scored for Denham Town in the 45th minute.

Thomas said he is happy that they are now in the quarterfinals because the team has been improving with each game.

“I am feeling tremendously proud of the boys because we are taking it one step at a time and this is just another step for us,” said Thomas.

He added: “Each game that we play, we are getting better and after each game we look at the mistakes and try and correct them on the training field.”

PHOTO BY RUDOLPH BROWN/PHOTOGRAPHER Camperdown High’s Ronaldo Edwards (left) and Javone Francis of Excelsior in a battle for possession during yesterday’s ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup match at the Stadium East field.