Ryon Jones, Star Writer

Excelsior got their quest for a semi-final spot on the way when they defeated Kingston College (KC) 2-0 in Group Three of the quarter-final round of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup, yesterday at the Constant Spring Sports Complex.

In the first match of the double header Tivoli Gardens High was beaten 2-0 by last year's semi-finalist St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS).

penalty spot

STATHS secured victory courtesy of goals from Jermaine Reid in the 73rd minute and Andrew Christie from the penalty spot in the 85th minute. Tivoli ended the game with ten men as their keeper Donald Hamilton was ejected in the 84th minute.

The KC, Excelsior game got off to a slow start as both teams struggled to come to terms with under foot conditions due to a heavy down pour, which preceded the match.

Nico Brett put his team in the lead in the 9th minute when Excelsior's captain Jhaiovanne Howard capitalised on a mistake from KC in midfield and threaded through a pass to Brett who toe-poked past the onrushing KC keeper, Marc-Anthony Harvey.

dominance

Despite KC's triple substitution seventeen minutes into the second half, Excelsior still maintained control of the game and stamped their dominance when Brett found the back of the net for a second time in the 79th minute.

Wayne Fairclough, coach of KC was gracious in defeat.

"I think both teams played well today under the conditions, as the under footing was a bit heavy. We squandered around four chances in the earlier part of the game, Excelsior got two chances and put them away, hats off to them," Fairclough said.

"We are not out as yet, we have two more games to play and hopefully we can cop those two games and go to the semi-finals. It is a hard task but we have to go out there and try," he added.

Excelsior's coach, Lebert Halliman had nothing but high praises for his team.

"I think the boys did well today under the conditions here at Constant Spring and I must commend them," Halliman said. "It is a long journey, this is the first game and our next game is against St Andrew Technical and I think they are the strongest team in the group but we have to think positive," he added.