A brace from Aryamanya Rodgers, his third of the season, guided Kingston College (KC) to a 2-0 win over Camperdown High and into the semi-finals of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.

A workmanlike performance from a much-changed KC team that had Rodgers in the starting line-up for the first this season saw many of their “touch players” starting on the bench, while Camperdown started the same line-up that had battled so fiercely against Charlie Smith and St George’s College to sit atop the group heading into the game.

It was a must-win situation for KC, who had amassed only two points from their first two quarter-final games, while Camperdown had four points and needed just a draw to advance to the semi-finals. Therefore, it was no surprise that KC started like a house on fire as they lay siege to the Camperdown goal.

Try as they might, however, KC could find no way past the stubborn Camperdown defence who had to defend four corner kicks in a row, at one point.

The KC goal seemed inevitable, nonetheless, as Rodgers came close twice with headers that went just over the crossbar and a shot that went wide of the post from just six yards.

A minute from the break, Rodgers struck when his persistence allowed him to get in position to lob the Camperdown custodian Dejaun Gordon.

Not resting on their one-goal lead, KC went in hunt of a crucial second goal and with Camperdown forced to hunt goals, found more space in the attacking third. Rodgers combined with Ronaldo Robinson to put pressure on the Lotteam Speid-marshalled defence with their relentless running.

Camperdown talisman Shaquile Bradford got a rare look-in when he headed on target at the back post from a corner kick, but it was straight at Devonte Bancroft, who held on easily.

Rodgers then made the game safe for KC when his deflected effort nestled in the bottom left -hand corner of the goal.

Second-half substitute Trayvone Reid and Dwayne Atkinson both got chances to add to the scoreline, but both fluffed their lines from easy chances.

Camperdown failed to muster much in the offensive third as their Manning Cup campaign came to a disappointing end.

Ludlow Bernard praised the players he brought into the starting line-up for their efforts in getting the win.

“This was a game that we had to win. We made a couple of adjustments and I think the adjustments worked for us. It was a high-intensity, high-energy game; we put the requisite people there to execute the job. This was supposed to be a workmanlike performance; workmanlike we wanted, workmanlike we got.

“We took a decision today, based on the circumstances, that we would go with him (Rodgers) today. We know his quality and his perseverance, his good technical skills, and his good reading of the game really came to the fore.”

Camperdown assistant coach Donovan Lofters blamed a lack of self-belief by his boys for the loss to KC.

“It’s one of those days. The youngsters and the pressure; sometimes we prevail, sometimes we don’t. It wasn’t meant to be, but we had a good ride and we were beaten by a determined Kingston College team today.

“My guys just didn’t believe today but the Champions Cup dream is still alive and we will be there. We will be ready for Friday or Saturday.”

KC will now face St Andrew Technical High School in the semi-finals for the second year running after STATHS drew 1-1 with Wolmer’s Boys’ to ensure their place in the final four.