Junior Dowie - Spanish Town High celebrate after they came from two goals down to equalise against Charlie Smith at Prison Oval yesterday in Manning Cup action.

Robert Bailey, Freelance Reporter

Eltham High put in a workman-like performance to edge Jamaica College (JC) 1-0 while Spanish Town came from behind to draw 2-2 with Charlie Smith in the second round of the ISSA/Pepsi/ JN Manning Cup at Prison Oval yesterday.

Eltham, still on a high from last week's Walker Cup final victory over JC, got their all important goal in the first minute of the game when captain Tremaine Stewart struck a 45-yard rocket over the head of goalkeeper Giovanni Gordon.

Stewart thought he had sent his team further ahead 10 minutes later, but his close-range header was just wide of the target.

JC had good opportunities to score with national under-20 representatives Kaemmar Daley hitting the post and Dwayne Williams forcing a spectacular save by Kelso Cousins.

However, the St. Catherine-based Eltham hung on for the victory as their coach, Gregory Allen, pulled all his players behind the ball in the final 10 minutes of the game.

"We are very pleased to start the round with three points in this tough situation of the quarter-final of the Manning Cup. It's always best to start out with three points." Allen said.

Jamaica College coach Alfred Henry reasoned that his team was undone by a lucky goal.

"We came up a bit short, it was one of those freak goals and we never responded well enough to get back." he said.

"But there's always tomorrow and we will have to work on the positives."

In the curtain raiser, Kenroy Campbell fired Charlie Smith in front in the 14th minute when he scored from point-blank range. Gillian Pusey added Charlie Smith's second goal in the 56th minute from the penalty spot after he was brought down inside the area. But an unrelenting Spanish Town, with much home support behind them, got a lifeline when Ronique Rowe converted a penalty in the 65th minute.

Dwayne Byfield ensured a point for the home team when he headed home the equaliser in injury time.