Charlie Smith blank Pembroke Hall 2-0

Dwayne Burger (left) of Pembroke Hall Comprehensive races away from Chevar Walters of Charlie Smith during their Manning Cup match at Pembroke Hall yesterday. Charlie Smith won 2-0.

Melton Williams, Staff Reporter

CHARLIE Smith Comprehensive raced to the top following a 2-0 victory over Pembroke Hall Comprehensive to maintain a perfect record in their hunt for glory in the 2001 Pepsi/Sports Plus Manning Cup football competition at Pembroke Hall yesterday.

With six points from two games, the west Kingston school are ahead of Calabar and pre-season favourites Kingston College (four points each) in Group D where six teams are competing for two places to the semi-final round.

Aiming to win their first away game, Charlie Smith took the lead in the first minute through Kimarley Grange and sealed victory in the second half from substitute Derval Stephenson in the 79th minute.

However, the game failed to produce any attractive football and although Charlie Smith came away with the victory, their performance was below standard compared to their first game against Trench Town which they won 3-1 on Tuesday.

But coach Jerome Waite said that there is no need to panic.

As a result Waite lashed the home team field citing that "it messed up the game."

"This field should not have been approved as the playing condition is bad," added Waite. He, however, said that his team had done enough to win the game.

The home team was never in the hunt and before they had realised what was happening Charlie Smith struck after 24 seconds, but afterward struggled to get their game going on a field which hardly has any grass.

In a move to hunt more goals Waite introduced three fresh legs early in the second half, Stevenson replacing Marcus Dennis, Kimarley Campbell on for captain Dwayne Robinson and Pattrado Pinto at the expense of Damion Green.

The changes certainly did a lot for Charlie Smith as they increased the pressure on Pembroke Hall and after a number of close shaves, Stephenson sealed the issue.

Charlie Smith's are at home to KC on Tuesday in their next big assignment and Waite is confident that his team will play better.

"I am expecting a good game because the playing condition at home (Tony Spaulding's Sports Complex) is better," he said.

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS