St George’s College (STGC) laboured to a 1-0 win over St Jago High, while St Catherine High clipped Hydel High 2-0 in first-leg second-round action of the ISSA/FLOW Manning Cup yesterday at Spanish Town Prison Oval.

In the third second-round first-leg match at Constant Spring field, top seed Holy Trinity High were stunned 0-2 by Haile Selassie High in a massive upset.

Both St George’s and St Catherine took crucial away goals for the return legs set for tomorrow, as they hunt spots in the quarter-final round.

Substitute K-Marli Robinson got the all-important goal for St George’s College, tapping home in the 78th minute after goalkeeper Diandre Burrell fluffed a cross.

It was an ugly win for the ‘Light Blues’ of North Street, but assistant coach Marcel Gayle was grateful for the victory.

“Congrats to the guys… it was tough conditions (as) the one o’clock sun was very draining for us. It was a good game overall and I think we missed a number of chances,” said Gayle.

St Jago coach Davion Ferguson said the scorching midday sun also took its toll on his players and he proceeded to heap praise on his team for a stout-hearted effort.

“I want give credit to my players because I think the conditions were difficult to play in… it was an even game and we got chances and George’s got chances. I think we lost concentration late in the second half and they punished us,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tevaun Taylor netted both goals (54th and 82nd minutes) for St Catherine High as they, too, will enter the return-leg with a one-goal advantage.

— Howard Walker