Robert Bailey, Freelance Reporter

Bridgeport's Theo Brown (centre) is pressured by two Excelsior players during their ISSA/Pepsi Manning Cup match yesterday at Stadium East. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. -Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

FORMER CHAMPIONS Excelsior and Camperdown stayed on course for a place in the semi-finals of the ISSA/Pepsi/JN Manning Cup after contrasting results at Stadium East yesterday.

In the opening game, Camperdown defeated Jonathan Grant 2-1, while Excelsior and Bridgeport played to an exciting 2-2 draw. Excelsior now lead the Group One with four points ahead of Camperdown who are also on four points with the Mountain View-based institution having a better goal difference over their opponents.

Camperdown's Joel Williams scored his team's first goal in the 10th minute when he fired home from point-blank range. Andre Campbell pull one back for Jonathan Grant six minutes from time before a own goal by Ronquie Davis in injury time sealed victory for Camperdown.

came out firing

Excelsior, who won back-to-back titles in 2003-2004, came out firing in the first half and took the lead when Akeem Nelson's 25-yard freekick in the 26th minute went like a rocket to the left of goalkeeper Carlloyd Walter. In the 35th minute, Theo Brown pulled Bridgeport level with a 20-yard freekick.

The Leebert Halliman-coached Excelsior came out in the second period looking much the better team and went ahead again in the 82nd minute when substitute Alanzo Adlam headed home a right-sided cross from teammate Richardo Scott.

However, the St. Catherine-based Bridgeport never gave hope and, five minutes later, Andre Clennon rocketed home the equaliser with a thunderous right-foot shot from about 25-yards out.

"I am very disappointed because after going up 2-1 with less than five minutes remaining, the boys got complacent and that means we now have to win our next game against Camperdown," said Halliman.

Anthony Patrick, coach of Bridgeport, said his team was basically finished now.

"We created a lot of chances today, but we just couldn't convert them, so we just have to come back next year and try again," Patrick said.