Manning Cup - Bridgeport lose sight of prize
published: Sunday | October 31, 2004

Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer

EVEN WITH one quarter-final Manning Cup game left to play, 2001 champions Bridgeport have given up on winning Corporate Area schoolboy football's most prestigious silverware this year.

"We just have to wheel and come again next season because definitely five points will not carry us through," said a disappointed Bridgeport coach Anthony Patrick after his team's 0-0 draw with St. George's College at Ferdie Neita Park yesterday.

It was the second consecutive draw in round two of the competition for Bridgeport following their 1-1 tie with Spanish Town last Wednesday.

"I must give up now. We have played two quarter-final games, we created a whole lot of chances and have not put them away," Patrick said. "Now we are waiting for the last game to get three points while other teams have three and four points. They are the ones who are going to go forward. We are the ones who have to come back next season," Patick said.

TWO POINTS LESS

Bridgeport have two points from as many games, two points less than group leaders St. George's and second-place team Spanish Town who are both tied on four points from two games.

But while Patrick has given up on his team's chances of qualifying for the semi-final round, it still has a mathematical chance of advancing. However, should St. George's lose to Spanish Town on Wednesday it would be all over for Bridgeport.

If that game ends in a draw and Bridgeport beat Meadowbrook, the 2001 champions could emerge group winners on goal difference and qualify.

During yesterday's encounter between St. George's and Bridgeport ­ which was in effect the second game of a doubleheader, Bridgeport enjoyed the better of play for most of the game but failed to score.

NO CLOSER

Andrew Dryden hit St. George's post with a powerful shot five minutes into the second half but they would come no closer to scoring afterwards as St. George's central defender and captain Rohan Lamb along with Abayoni D'agular kept them at bay.

St. George's could also consider themselves a bit unlucky after Dussen Palmer headed a corner past Bridgeport's 'keeper, Kemal Davis, but could only watch in awe as Radeen Bennett cleared his effort off the line.

For their toil yesterday, St. George's pocket one point which means that they maintain their lead at the top of Group Three, a result which pleased Lamb.

"I think the boys did well today. We played a good game and should have scored but I am glad that we just did not lose," the captain said.

Yesterday's results