Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Spanish Town's Andre Smith (centre) fires past Tarrant goalkeeper Cargil Scott (right) while defender Dwayne Reid looks on in their ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup clash at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday. Spanish Town won 9-0. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

ST GEORGE'S College clawed their way from behind on two occasions to wrest a valuable three points away from a determined Camperdown with a 3-2 win at Winchester Park in the ISSA/Pepsi /Digicel Manning Cup yesterday.

The win, a third in a row for the North Street team, saw them keep their place at the top of Group E with nine points.

Captain and leading scorer Kemal Malcolm led from the front with a brace but it seemed for a time that the home team may have been headed for its first loss of the season.

Much to the dismay of the fans, Camperdown took the lead through Ramone White in the first minute. However, with his defensive unit caught napping, Camperdown goalkeeper Marlon Brown was forced to rush out of goal and brought down a charging Shammar Shelton in the area. Malcolm, brought the teams level with his 20th-minute penalty, however the Light Blues would once again find themselves chasing the game. A long-range effort from Camperdown's Dorado Phillips floated over the head of a stunned George's goalkeeper, Windel Reid, hushing the crowd on the stroke of half-time. A brilliant solo effort from the team captain, which saw him make his way past three defenders before slotting past Camperdown custodian Brown, would bring the teams back on level terms in the 75th minute.

Malcolm then turned provider with sleek one-time touch, which saw substitute Jakeem English complete the Georges' comeback effort.

"We really had to come out here and fight for this one, every point is precious too and plus being at home we just couldn't disappoint the fans," Malcolm said.

"I was happy that I was able to lead from the front today. I am the captain, so I take that on as my responsibility," the striker said of his two goals.

Camperdown coach Oneil Thomas was understandably disappointed to have held the lead twice but come away empty-handed.

Disappointed

"I am very disappointed, we didn't give enough and just didn't fight hard enough," Thomas said.

"I don't think we were com-placent but some simple mistakes saw us give up the goals that cost us the game," he said.

In the group's other games, Excelsior got by Ardenne 3-1 and Dunoon beat Greater Portmore 2-1. Over in Group A, Spanish Town were the day's biggest winners when they blasted Tarrant 9-0, Tivoli beat Campion 2-1 and Norman Manley beat Charlie Smith by a similar scoreline. In Group B, Calabar pounded Pembroke Hall 6-0, Waterford beat Donald Quarrie 2-1 and Ascot beat St Mary's College 2-0.

Group A

Spanish Town 9 Tarrant 0

Tivoli 2 Campion 1

Norman Manley 2 Charlie Smith 1

Group B

Calabar 6 Pembroke Hall 0

Waterford 2 Donald Quarrie 1

St Mary's 0 Ascot 2

Group E

St George's 3 Camperdown 2

Excelsior 3 Ardenne 1

Greater Portmore 1 Dunoon 2

YESTERDAYS RESULTS