Robert Bailey, Star Writer

Charlie Smith High turned in a gutsy performance to defeat Holy Trinity 2-1 to book their place in the semifinals of this year's Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/LIME Walker Cup Knockout competition at the Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday.

In the second game of the quarterfinals double-header, defending champions Wolmer's Boys produced a classy performance to thrash Spanish Town 4-0 to seal their place in the semi-finals.

The Heroes Circle-based Wolmer's entered yesterday's game still mourning the death of Sarah Smith, the mother of midfielder Demar Rose, who died in childbirth on Wednesday. The Wolmer's players wore black armbands and warmed up in white t-shirts with a picture of Smith on the front in support of their teammate.

Rose, who played in the game, scored his team's second goal in the 62nd minute to go along with goals from Jordan James (18th) and a double from Jaheel Hyde (69th and 82nd).

Wolmer's coach, Ludlow Bernard, who introduced Rose to the Manning Cup, is cognisant of the additional importance that the season has taken on.

"Demar (Rose) has been one of our special players over the years, I took him from Pepsi and floated him into the Manning...now it is beginning to pay dividends, as he is one of our main midfield players," Bernard said.

"It is really a difficult time for him, so the players are hell-bent on the season being dedicated to him and his mom and that we will be playing all out for him."

In the opening encounter, Charlie Smith were led to victory courtesy of goals from Bebeto McDonald (31st) and substitute Shamar Pryce (59th). Shamar Stephenson scored the lone goal for Holy Trinity in the 56th minute.

Charlie Smith dominated the early exchanges but were kept at bay by a very organised Holy Trinity defensive unit. However, the deadlock was finally broken when the speedy and skilful McDonald pounced on a lose ball inside the 18-yards area to fire home past goalkeeper Sean Dean Daley.

Holy Trinity came out looking the better team in the second period as they created a number of clear-cut chances, which failed to produce reward.

However, Stephenson, who ran circles around the Charlie Smith defenders with swift dribbling skills and fancy footwork, netted the equaliser with a beautiful 20-yards free-kick past custodian Leon Taylor.

Pryce sealed the victory for Charlie Smith when he fired home a beautiful 30-yards shot against the run of play. Charlie Smith will face Wolmer's in the semi-final, which will be played on Tuesday at the same venue.