Jermaine Lannaman, STAR Writer

Charlie Smith High remained in contention for a place in the next round of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup following an impressive 2-0 win over former Group A leaders Tivoli Gardens High, at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.

The south St Andrew school who needed to win to keep their chance of advancing alive, were led to victory on two second half strikes from Kemar Brown and Javoni Simms.

Victory pushed Charlie Smith to 16 points, three behind Tivoli and four behind group leaders Norman Manley, who, in defeating Tarrant 7-0, became the first team to qualify from the group.

With one round to the race for second spot is interestingly poised. Charlie Smith have Tarrant - a team they defeated 16-0 earlier in the season - to play, while Tivoli will have to encounter Spanish Town, a team which beat them in the first round.

In other results, Excelsior and St George's College, who had already qualified, defeated Dunoon 4-0 and drew 3-3 with Ardenne respectively. The top two will meet on Saturday in a gigantic clash to decide the group winners and the automatic qualification spot from Group E to the Walker Cup Knockout.

Excelsior lead with 25 points, two ahead of St George's.

Elsewhere, the match between qualifiers, Calabar and St Mary's College was abandoned due to heavy rain.

At the Edward Seaga Sports Complex, there was little to talk about in the first half with both Charlie Smith and Tivoli trading attacks to no avail and with little fanfare.

It was, however, a different scenario in the second half as Charlie Smith, seemingly buoyed on by a spirited half-time speech from coach Jerome Waite, came running at Tivoli, who eventually succumbed in the 65th minute via Brown.

The second goal which was scored two minutes from the end, was a spectacular individual effort by Simms. After controlling a high ball beautifully on the edge of the box he beat a defender twice with his favourite left foot before slamming home. "Today the team showed character, guts and determination," said Waite. "Tivoli, I thought gave a good account of themselves, but my team was defiant."