Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

St George's College remained on course to defend their ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup and Oliver Shield titles after recording a 2-1 win over Charlie Smith at Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday.

The game, which was the second of a Group J double-header, saw St George's coming out on top courtesy of second-half goals from forward Amoy Brown and midfielder Romario Jones.

Charlie Smith's consolation was netted by forward Lennox Russell.

The win moved St George's to the top of the group with maximum six points from two games, four more than last year's beaten finalists Charlie Smith, who were eliminated from the competition in the process.

Charlie Smith had drawn two of their three matches.

The group's other teams, Camperdown and Holy Trinity, were also eliminated in the process after the latter pulled off an upset 3-0 win in the curtain-raiser.

Holy Trinity thus ended their campaign on four points after drawing, losing and winning their matches, while Camperdown - with a game in hand against St George's tomorrow - are on one point and out of the runnings.

Spirited team

"We had a chance to qualify today and I am glad we did it and will not have to wait until Wednesday," said St George's coach, Neville 'Bertis' Bell.

"It was not one of our best games, but in the end we played well enough to fight off a spirited Charlie Smith team, who perhaps should have left with at least a point."

Jerome Waite, Charlie Smith's coach, was satisfied with their effort.

"Though we lost, I'm happy with the fight we showed today," he said. "But congrats to St George's, they are a well-managed and well-coached team with good technical players and it showed here today."

In the opening encounter, Holy Trinity, who had advanced to the second round for the first time since they begun participating in the Manning Cup, having been upgraded from secondary to high school nearly 20 years ago, won courtesy of goals from Nicholas Hamilton and Kadeem Davis in the 31st and 38th minutes, and an own goal in the 14th minute.

Yesterday's Results

St George's 2 Charlie Smith 1

Holy Trinity 3 Camperdown 0

Today's matches

Innswood vs Norman Manley at Prison Oval - 3 p.m.

Wolmer's vs Bridgeport at Constant Spring - 3 p.m.