Jonathan Grant blanked Charlie Smith High 2-0 and Excelsior High hammered Calabar High 5-1 in the ISSA/Flow Manning Cup Group K double-header at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.

Jonathan Grant are now sole leaders of the group on six points, three ahead of Excelsior High and Charlie Smith with one round of games remaining. Calabar remain pointless with two losses in as many games.

In the curtain-raiser, both teams went on the offensive in the early exchanges and it was Jonathan Grant who went to the break in front courtesy of an Anelka Grandison strike in the 32nd minute.

It was a comedy of errors on the resumption as Charlie Smith broke down their opponents’ defence on a number of occasions, but poor decision-making denied them the equaliser.

They were later punished when the lanky Tyrone Small slotted in from close range in the 61st minute to secure victory for Jonathan Grant.

Charlie Smith ended with 10 players after Captain Shaquille Notice was ejected for violent conduct in the 78th minute which summed up his team’s miserable performance.

Meanwhile, Excelsior High kept their hopes of a semi-final spot alive with a dominant performance against a Calabar High outfit that was by no means short on confidence.

Vashawn Williams in the 15th and 48th minutes, and Thorne Buchanan in the 38th and 57th minutes notched braces, with Captain Christopher Thorpe in the 19th minute getting the other goal. Lenworth Reckford (28th) got the consolation for Calabar High.

Williams opened the scoring for Excelsior High with an easy tap in, and was involved in a breakaway chance but collided with the advancing Jashon Nash in goal for Calabar High. However, Thorpe was on hand to slot home the loose ball to make it 2-0.

The Red Hills Road-based team clawed their way back into contention when Reckford converted from the penalty spot after Mikel Graham was brought down inside the area.

But that was all they would get as Excelsior High took charge of the contest and went to the break 3-1 up courtesy of a beautifully struck free-kick by Buchanan from 30 yards out.

The Mountain View-based team picked up where they left off eight minutes after the resumption when Williams held his composure and fired past substitute ‘keeper Sivair Francis, who replaced Nash after the collision.

And the writing was on the wall for Calabar High when an unmarked Buchanan fired in a left-footed shot from a through pass from substitute Tryrik Sutherland.

Xavier Gilbert, assistant coach of Excelsior High, was pleased with the team’s emphatic performance.

“It was a good performance from the boys; I think they did well. The early goals set the tone for the game, we really wanted the three points and of course some goals and we managed to get that today (yesterday),” he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Head Coach of Calabar High Bradley Stewart felt his team lacked leadership.

“If you saw the goals that scored it says that we are defensively weak, even though the responsibility rests with one of our senior players to ensure that we have markers even when we go forward. So that was kind of missing today,” he lamented.

The competition continues today with action in Group J when bottom-placed Haile Selassie and Kingston College oppose each other at 1:00 pm at the Constant Spring playing field.

Then in the feature game two hours later, St George’s College and St Jago High engage each other in a dress rehearsal ahead of Saturday’s encounter in the semi-finals of the ISSA/Flow Super Cup.

Today’s schedule

Haile Selassie vs Kingston College @ Constant Spring field @1:00 pm

St Jago vs St George’s College @ Constant Spring field @ 3:00 pm

PHOTO: C’SMITH vs J’GRANT 1

Ajay Higgins (right) of Jonathan Grant comes under a crunching tackle from Ronaldo Wright of Charlie Smith during their ISSA/Flow Group K Manning Cup contest at Prison Oval yesterday. Jonathan Grant won 2-0. (PHOTO: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)

PHOTO: C’SMITH vs J’GRANT 2

Jeovanni Shorter (right) of Jonathan Grant goes down under a challenge from Zemario Sinclair of Charlie Smith during their ISSA/Flow Group K Manning Cup contest at Prison Oval yesterday. Jonathan Grant won 2-0. (PHOTOS: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)

PHOTO: XLCR vs C’BAR

Thorn Buchanan (right) of Excelsior High and Mario Salesman of Calabar High collide as they challenge for possession of the ball during their ISSA/Flow Group K Manning Cup contest at Prison Oval yesterday. XLCR won 5-1.

PHOTO: XLCR vs C’BAR 1

Tyrik Sutherland (right) of Excelsior High evades a challenge from Devaughn Gordon of Calabar High during their ISSA/Flow Group K Manning Cup contest at Prison Oval yesterday.