Excelsior High's Tevin Jackson celebrates after scoring against Calabar High during their ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup second-round clash at the Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday. His teammate Cadine Graham is at right.

Excelsior High and Spanish Town High registered victories over Calabar High and Donald Quarrie High, respectively, in Group H of the second round of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup competition at the Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday.

In the curtain-raiser, Spanish Town defeated Donald Quarrie 2-1 while Excelsior blanked Calabar 2-0 in the feature encounter. Nathaniel Laslie (20th) and an own goal by a defender in the 26th minute, were the scorers for the Anthony Thompson-coached Spanish Town. Marvin Gregory netted for Donald Quarrie in the 49th minute.

The three points were welcomed by coach Thompson but he was a bit concerned about the overall performance.

"We are unhappy with the overall performance of the boys but we are happy for the three points because this is important for us at this stage of the competition," said Thompson.

"I think we should have to play much better because our opponents didn't put up much of a fight today," Thompson said.

In the second game Ojai Bedward (64th) and substitute Tevin Jackson (81st) were the scorers for the Leebert Halliman-coached Excelsior.

"I think after playing over a 100 minutes in the sun on Friday, and to turn up here and show so much guts, I have to commend the boys for their efforts," said Halliman.

"I think we were stronger than them because I think they were a bit match rusty, but we know what we had to do to win the game and the boys delivered for us," he said.

Halliman added: "This is a good start for us, but the boys are young and they are getting a bit tired and so just have to take it one step at a time."

The first half was fiercely contested but both teams created limited scoring opportunities.

Excelsior's live wire Kareem Banton got his team's best scoring chance of the half, but his point-blank effort was denied by the crossbar in the 15th minute.

A long-range shot by Calabar striker Kyle Scott was spectacularly saved by goalkeeper Ryan Jackson in the 38th minute. Jackson dived at full stretch to his left to turn the ball behind for a corner kick.

Excelsior squandered a number of clear chances in the opening minutes of the second stanza but they were finally rewarded when Bedward fired a powerful 30-yard shot past cust-odian Richard Chambers into the back of the net. Jackson made the points safe for Excelsior when he arrived at the near post to tap home a low cross past Chambers.

Holmer Morgan, manager of Calabar, said: "I think that the break that we had from the Walker Cup and Hurricane Sandy affected us because some of the players didn't turn up for training."

The competition continues today with two double headers. At the Spanish Prison Oval, Bridgeport High tackle Norman Manley High at 1 p.m. and Wolmer's Boys oppose Innswood High at 3 p.m. in Group K.

In Group I at the Constant Spring Sports Complex, Denham Town High oppose Kingston College at 1 p.m. and Jamaica College face Hydel High at 3 p.m.

Calabar High's Bochang Gordon (right) and Cadine Graham of Excelsior High collide as they tussle for possession during ISSA/ Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup second-round action at Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday. Excelsior won 2-0. - Ricardo Makyn