EXCELSIOR defeated Denham Town 3-1 to move to the top of Group J in the second round of the ISSA/LIME Manning Cup football competition in the feature game of a double-header programme at the Constant Spring play field yesterday.

Earlier in the afternoon’s opener, Vauxhall shocked Norman Manley 3-2 to also take over the top spot in Group I.

Playing a more disciplined second half than Norman Manley, Vauxhall were able to turn the tables on the former Manning Cup champions after falling behind in the fifth minute from the boot of Shaquille ‘Driver’ Lewis.

The teams went to the break with the score unchanged with Norman Manly having the better of the exchanges, but they wasted a few chances to increase their lead. All this time, Vauxhall were growing in confidence as they seemed to recognise that their opponents had become complacent with the slender lead.

Vauxhall returned for the second session better organised and promptly put Norman Manley to bed by taking them apart with three goals, highlighted by a double strike from Junior Lywood who equalised in the 72nd minute and then put Vauxhall ahead four minutes later with Jordan Batson securing all three points from the penalty spot in minute 82nd. Lewis’ other goal for Norman was scored in the 73rd minute.

The Excelsior/Denham Town feature provided much better football with Denham Town being kept in check by a sprightly-looking Denham Town, so much so it was not until the final minute before the break that Excelsior got the go-ahead goal from Christopher Thorpe in the 45th minute.

Excelsior, like Norman Manley in the opener, let indiscipline creep into their play. But when second half substitute Sharmari James connected past Romario Palma did the Mountain View boys take stock and stamped their authority on the game with further goals from Samuel Halliman (60th minute) and Thorpe again in the 85th.