Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Sean Elliston (right) of Eltham High shrugs off a challenge of Jamaica College's Shamal Thomas during their ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup clash at the UWI Bowl yesterday. JC won 4-2. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

A HAT-TRICK from forward Saeed Robinson guided defending champions Jamaica College (JC) to a 4-2 win over Eltham High as action continued in the second round of the ISSA/Pepsi/Manning Cup at the UWI Bowl yesterday.

In the doubleheader's other game, undefeated St George's College moved one step closer to securing their place in the semi-finals with a 1-0 win over Waterford.

Robinson, who was a constant thorn in the side of the Eltham defence, scored in the 14th and 37th minutes to put his team 2-0 up in what was a must-win encounter for the boys from Old Hope Road and, with the momentum in his favour, rounded off his tally with a strike two minutes into the second half.

Eltham, having lost their first second-round match to St George's and needing to win or at least draw to stay alive, got their consolation goals through Stephen Williams who, with two powerful and well-placed free-kicks in the 42nd and 85th minutes, saved face for the boys from the outskirts of Spanish Town.

Show of character

Nico Wright, a second-half substitute, got JC's other goal.

"The team showed character in what was a do-or-die situation," said JC coach Alfred Henry. "I thought they stood up and fought back like true champions. I am proud and I only hope we can replicate this effort in the final group match against St George's," he said.

Well-fought game

JC, who lost to Waterford in their first second-round encounter, will now turn their attention to the Light Blues who, courtesy of a composed 87th-minute strike from Shamar Shelton, brother of national striker Luton, clipped Waterford 1-0 in the venue's opening match-up.

"It was a well-fought game as we played hard, knowing that a win would put us in a good position of advancing to the semi-finals," said St George's assistant coach Marcel Gayle.

"We created numerous chances and weren't scoring, but in the end were able to close out the match. It's not over yet, as we still have JC to play," Gayle said.

St George's lead Group Three with maximum six points and need only a draw in their last match to advance to the next round, while JC and Waterford face virtual must-win situations if they are to advance to the next stage.