Robert Bailey, Star Writer

Tivoli Gardens' Seymore Brisco (left) controls the ball ahead of Charlie Smith's Earl Palmer during their ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup match at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday. Tivoli won 4-2. - Peta-Gaye Clachar

Tivoli Gardens registered their third consecutive victory yesterday in this year's ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup competition, with an exciting 4-2 win over Charlie Smith at the Tony Spaulding Complex.

The win pushed Tivoli Gardens to the top of Group A with nine points. They are followed by Norman Manley and Charlie Smith who are tied for second place with six points. Spanish Town are next on three.

Tivoli Gardens who last won the competition in 1999, took the lead in the sixth minute when Andre Aiken slotted home from point-blank range past goalkeeper Jerome Lawson.

Charlie Smith found the equaliser five minutes later, courtesy of an own goal by Tivoli Gardens' defender Seymore Brisco.

Close range shot

Omar Pryce then gave Charlie Smith the lead in the 34th minute with a powerful close range shot past custodian Tashmar Green.

Necas Collins drew Tivoli Gardens level at 2-2 seven minutes into the second period, when he headed home from a Darion Garrison cross.

Substitute Lamar Reynolds then sent Tivoli Gardens into a 3-2 lead in the 80th minute when he also headed past Lawson. Andre Fearon scored Tivoli Gardens fourth goal in the 88th minute when he fired home from close range.

Dave Clarke, coach of Tivoli Gardens, said it was a difficult game. "It was a very tough game today. I had seen them (Charlie Smith) previously and they are a good team, so this was a good win for us," said Clarke.

"We put a lot more heart into this game than the last one and that showed up on the scoresheet," he added

Carol Butler, coach of Charlie Smith, said despite the loss he was pleased with his team's efforts.

"I think that this is part of our learning process," said Butler.

"These youngsters still need to learn the basic lessons of football in terms of their concentration," Butler added.

"We are going to take the positives of this game because we know that Tivoli are among the top contenders in the zone, but we are still very confident that we can still win."

Today's games

Group A: Campion College vs Spanish Town, Tarrant vs Norman Manley. Group B: Ascot vs Waterford, Donald Quarrie vs Calabar, Pembroke Hall vs St. Mary's College.

Group E: Dunoon Technical vs Excelsior, Ardenne vs St. George's College and Camperdown vs Greater Portmore.