REIGNING champions St George’s College became the first qualifiers to the semi-final of the ISSA/LIME Manning Cup football competition after beating Spanish Town High 5-1 in yesterday’s second round match at the Spanish Town Prison Oval.

National youth player Cardel Benbow scored in the 35th and 82nd minutes, while Martin Davis (sixth), Shevon Stewart (29th) and Ryan Miller (85th) added the other goals. Kemar Staple pulled a goal back for Spanish Town in the 65th minute.

The victory was St George’s third straight of the second round and made them winners of Group K with nine points. Only the top team in each group advances to the last four of the Manning Cup.

St George’s College head coach Neville Bell was pleased with the result, but felt his team played below par. “I’m happy we got five goals and happy we got the victory to advance, but I’m disappointed with the way we played. The players showed some complacency and we gave up the ball too easily,” said the coach who has led St George’s to four Manning Cup titles in the last five seasons.

In the early encounter at the venue, Camperdown High blanked Calabar High 4-0 in a low-quality game laced with glaring missed chances from both teams.

Rohan Scott hit a three-timer in the 17th, 37th and 85th minutes, while Hugh Evans struck the fourth in the first minute of time added on.

Camperdown finished second in Group K with six points, Calabar were third with three and Spanish Town ended last without a point.

Under rainy conditions in the feature game, Davis got the North Street-based team off to a strong start when he dribbled into the box before directing his close range shot into the corner of the goal with only six minutes on the clock.

The second goal followed in the 29th minute when Stewart exhibited good skill and acceleration in soggy conditions to glide past Spanish Town defender Ronaldo Thomas and score.

Wide attacker Benbow made it 3-0 10 minutes before the half-time break as he knocked into an empty net after a defensive mix-up from Spanish Town.

Staple, however, ignited some spark in Spanish Town’s approach when he completed a first time finish from a nicely weighted pass from standout player Nathaniel Leslie 20 minutes into the second period.

St George’s eventually reasserted themselves in the encounter and, though not at their fluent best on a slippery, uneven surface, punished the hapless Spanish Town outfit.

Benbow spanked in a late fourth and central midfielder Miller — notching his 15th goal of the season — added a successful penalty kick for a fifth to ensure St George’s recorded an emphatic win.

Spanish Town’s Lloyd Duhaney was given his marching orders after being shown a second yellow in the 89th minute.

The competition continues today with the final set of matches in Group H at the Constant Spring field.

In the opening game at 1:00 pm, the out-of-contention pair of Kingston College (zero point) and Charlie Smith High (zero) is set to meet, while at 3:00 pm, Jamaica College (six) and Hydel High (six) are scheduled for an enticing clash.

Hydel have to win to progress to the semi-final, while JC, thanks to a superior goal difference, only require a draw.