Spanish Town withdraw, Eltham in

Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

ISSA/Pepsi/JN Manning Cup semi-finalists, Spanish Town High, have withdrawn from the competition leaving the door open for Walker Cup champions Eltham High.

Spanish Town, finished the second round atop Group Three with five points. Eltham also had five, but with a inferior goal difference. They will now play in Saturday's semi-finals.

Sources close to ISSA told Star Sports yesterday that Spanish Town broke the rules by allegedly using players who were repeating grade 11 for the second time. ISSA rules, the source explained, only allows for players to repeat Grade 11 once.

According to a press release sent to Star Sports, Spanish Town will face an ISSA disciplinary committee shortly.

Gregory Allen, coach of Eltham, while happy for the re-instatement, said it was going to be very difficult for him to motivate his team ahead of their semi-final game against Excelsior on Saturday.

"I know it is going to be very difficult for us to get back in shape because of the limited time we have," he said.

"We just have to go back now and try to motivate the boys for the semi-finals on Saturday," added Allen.