MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Spalding High beat Holmwood Technical 2-1 yesterday at Kirkvine to leave Zone G of the ISSA/Flow daCosta Cup delicately poised ahead of the return fixtures.

Romario Clarke, who scored both goals for Spalding, notched the opener in minute 24 by beating the out-of-position goalkeeper Alex Lewis with a rasping half-line shot.

Holmwood, by no means second best at this stage, responded positively in the second half, but had to wait until the 65th minute for the equaliser when Spalding goalkeeper Dylan Green spilled Renardo Barrett’s free kick into the path of Rajhaun Walcott, who had the simple task of tapping home.

But all Holmwood’s good work was undone 10 minutes later when Green beat Lewis with a second long-ranged effort — this time he made space for himself on the edge of the box before unleashing the shot that bounced wretchedly in front of the Holmwood captain on its way into the net.

Clarke then missed the chance to cap his performance with a memorable hat-trick after he blazed a stoppage-time penalty over the bar.

Nevertheless, the result means Spalding leapfrogged Holmwood (seven points) into first place on nine points, while Knox College (six points) dropped to fourth place following a surprised 0-1 home defeat to Alston High.

With that victory, Alston also pulled themselves into inter-zone contention. They are now up to third on seven points — just two shy of the new leaders Spalding.