Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) forward Diego Haughton (centre) is flanked by teammates after scoring against Tivoli in their ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup match at the Constant Spring Complex yesterday. Haughton scored twice in a 2-1 victory for STATHS. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

TWO SECOND-HALF goals by striker Diego Haughton saw St Andrew Technical high School (STATHS) seize control of ISSA/Pepsi/Manning Cup Group Three and perhaps their semi-final destiny following a 2-1 win over Tivoli High at the Constant Spring Complex yesterday.

The win saw the Bumper Hall school move to the top of the group on four points with just one game remaining. In the second game of a doubleheader at the ground, Excelsior and Calabar again proved to be inseparable after playing to a 2-2 draw, leaving both teams on just one point after two games.

In a competitive game, Tivoli took the early lead when their leading scorer, Necas Collins, stole into the area against the run of play before rolling the ball wide of STATHS custodian Kenroy Coombs.

However, a slippery Haughton, who looked a danger to the Tivoli back line for most of the game, got the first of his two goals in the 50th minute to bring STATHS level.

All-important goal

The forward coasted into the area to head a Daniel Gilzene cross past a rooted Tivoli goalkeeper, Tashmar Green. Then with another trek into the area, Haughton slid in to boot the all-important goal past Green in the 61st minute.

"We can't take anything for granted, we need all three points from our final game and we are looking forward to the game against Calabar," said STATHS coach Keith Nicols.

For Tivoli coach Dave Clarke, who sees his team with a near impossible route to semi-final qualification, the side was simply beaten by a better team on the day.

"We won the first half, we had a lapse in the second but no excuses, they were the better team on the day and they deserved to win," Clarke said.

Against Calabar, Valentino Fogo coasted into the area from a 44th-minute free kick to give Excelsior the lead. And when substitute Neco Brett fired home from the spot to put Excelsior two goals to the good, with just three minutes gone in the second half, it seemed as if they would finally be able to pull away from the Red Hills Road team. However Calabar, who last week battled with Excelsior in a hotly-contested Walker Cup final, fought back.

Richard Lewis looked fortunate to have got a touch to an awkward ball crossed into the area and over the head of Excelsior goalkeeper Chevon Powell, bringing Calabar back into the match in the 59th minute.

Richard Edite, who grabbed a crucial last-minute goal against Tivoli, was at it again when he crashed in with a bullet-like header to bring Calabar level in the 77th minute. The draw left both teams in dire straights having just earned two points with one game remaining.

Today's Games

(At the UWI Bowl)

Waterford vs St. George's College - 1 p.m.

Jamaica College vs Eltham - 3 p.m.