ST George’s College joined Charlie Smith as early qualifiers for the semi-finals of the ISSA/Digicel/Gatorade Manning Cup competition after scoring a 2-0 win over Calabar High in a highly-charged Group H encounter at the Constant Spring Complex yesterday.

Romario Jones opened the scoring against 10-man Calabar just past the hour mark, and Davion Kelly sealed the win in time added.

The win gave St George’s College maximum nine points from three games, group honours and a place in the last four.

Calabar finished second on six points, three more than Camperdown, who edged the pointless Penwood 2-1.

In their previous meeting in the Walker Cup knockout competition, Calabar lost a man early, and they did so again yesterday when Romario Sewell was ejected after 11 minutes for an off-the-ball foul on Chevone Marsh.

A few minutes later the game was held up for almost 10 minutes after missiles were aimed at one of the assistant referees from the section of the complex where the Calabar supporters were located.

On the restart, Shane Franklin broke in behind the St George’s defence but could not keep the ball under control and the chance went abegging. Soon after Jones came close for the ‘Light Blues’ when his shot from just outside the area hit the base of the post.

Moments later, Cordel Benbow got by his marker and cut the ball back for the national Under-17 player Jones, who redirected his shot into the side netting from six yards.

Fifteen minutes into the second half Jones fired St George’s ahead.

After collecting a ball at the near-post, the substitute Kelly turned his marker and fired a low shot which goalkeeper Richard Chambers could only turn into the path of Jones, who made no mistake.

Anderson and Kelly then wasted good chances to add to St George’s lead, but they got the insurance goal in time added when Kelly broke away and calmly slotted past Chambers.

Ten minutes from time, the game was halted once more for about 10 minutes as the assistant referee came under another attack.

But just before the final whistle St George’s suffered what could be a set-back for the semis, when Ricardo Henry picked up his second yellow card of the afternoon.

St George’s coach Neville Bell said although he was happy to reach to semifinals, he wasn’t pleased with the atmosphere of the match.

“It’s unfortunate, but this is the second time we are playing Calabar and they got an early red card… It was a game I didn’t like at all… this is schoolboy football and with bottles and other stuff being thrown, that shouldn’t happen,” he lamented.

His counterpart Marvin Tate said it was a proud display by his team but poor officiating continues to dog them.

“I am coaching now for over 26 years and this is the worst officiating I have ever seen at any level and that was the only disappointing aspect to the game,” he said.

In the opening game, Camperdown overcame Penwood thanks to a superb 76th minute volley from Marshall Johnson.

Captain Clifford Shaw had equalised for Penwood on the hour, from the penalty spot, after a handled ball inside the area. Oshane Williams had put Camperdown ahead with a 23rd minute goal.

The competition continues this afternoon with games in Group I at the Prison Oval. At 1:00 pm José Marti entertain Ascot, while Wolmer’s take on Hydel at 3:00 pm.