Kingston College (KC) whipped Excelsior High 3-1 in their top-of-the-table Group E clash yesterday to reaffirm their status as one of the favourites to lift the ISSA/FLOW Manning Cup trophy.

Renato Campbell, Ronaldo Robinson and Jamari Morrison got the goals for Kingston College, while Ryan Spence pulled a goal back for Excelsior.

Playing in front of a packed crowd inside the Stadium East venue, KC turned in a workmanlike display to open up a five-point lead atop Group E following the completion of the first-round games.

Excelsior remain in second spot on 10 points, while Greater Portmore High surprisingly lost 0-1 to Ardenne to stay third on five points. Fourth-placed Norman Manley High edged Spanish Town High 2-1 to move to five points. Ardenne climbed off the bottom to be fifth with four points ahead of Spanish Town on three points.

KC, who were notching their fifth-consecutive win, have now rattled in 36 goals while conceding three times.

National Under-17 player Campbell opened the scoring in the 43rd minute with a powerful shot from just outside the box to break the deadlock in a cagey affair.

The ‘Purples’ then doubled their advantage in the 54th minute when Robinson scored one of the best goals of the season so far. The speedy winger eluded a sliding challenge just above the halfway line before dazzling an opposing defender with several step overs, and then fired a torrid left footer past the bewildered Jordon Hoilett in the Excelsior goal.

It was a goal of the highest order that would have made any of the Ronaldos of Brazil or Portugal extremely proud.

But just when KC seemed to be coasting to victory, Excelsior’s substitute Spence pulled one back from a melee after a corner kick in the 82nd minute.

KC responded quickly with their substitute Morrison making the points safe when he rifled home from the edge of the box, although goalkeeper Hoilett could have done better.

It was a well-deserved victory for KC and one that puts them in prime position to secure their spot in the rich FLOW Super Cup all-island knockout tournament.

Head Coach Ludlow Bernard was satisfied with the three points but disappointed that his team conceded a goal after dominating the game.

“We will have to have a cross-examination because the [concession of] one [goal] was totally against the script and we really were vying for a clean sheet today,” said Bernard.

“It is pointless playing against a team and dominating for long periods and they really get something out of nothing. It’s an error made, so we will have to go back to the training pitch and try and resolve that particular matter,” he added.

“But at the same time it is good to see three other persons other than Mackinson (Rashawn) get on the scoresheet. The ambition is to get the team to be an all-round one; we still have some areas that we can do a lot better. I wasn’t particularly pleased with our midfield today,” said Bernard.

Excelsior, boasting two past National Under-17 players in Shandel Senior who they got from Vere Technical and Raewin Senior, never really posed any threat and looked timid on the day.

Excelsior High Head Coach Shavar Thomas said he was disappointed with their first loss of the season.

“We know the work we had put in all week and early in the game the plan was working, but we just never got that ball out to spring them wide,” said Thomas

“Nevertheless they got the first goal in a vital part of the game that caused us to sit back a little bit. But we will regroup and come back again and fight,” he noted.