Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

Bridgeport's Andre Clennon (centre) is challenged by Norman Manley's Kemar Joseph (right) and Ricardo Bennett during their ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup encounter at Tinson Pen yesterday. The match ended 1-1. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Bridgeport were held to an exciting 1-1 draw by Norman Manley in their Inter-Secondary Schools Association (ISSA)/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup match at Tinson Pen yesterday. Anthony Patrick, coach of Bridgeport, was pleased with his team's performance and said: "I think it was a hard-fought game because we and Norman Manley played well ... it looked as if it was a final of the competition.

"We don't have any complaints from this game because we got a point ... we had three people in our defence who were carrying injuries into today's game, but they fought hard for us and I have to lift my hat off to them," he said.

"Our plan going forward now is that we cannot drop any points because we need to continue to win and make sure we beat St. George's College in our next game."

Alrick Clarke, coach of Norman Manley, said: "It was a very good game. I think Bridgeport were very spirited and they played a good game. "We missed a few chances which cost us but that's how the game goes some times," he said. Norman Manley dominated the game from the opening whistle with their skillful midfielder Romario Campbell proving a handful for the tall Bridgeport defenders.

close-range shot

Twenty minutes into the game, a Campbell close-range shot was spectacularly saved by goalkeeper Geovanni Smith. Then, ten minutes later, Norman Manley's Kemar Joseph dribbled his way past two Bridgeport defenders but, with Smith at his mercy, his shot went high over the crossbar.

After soaking up the pressure from their opponents, Bridgeport took the lead on the stroke of halftime when former national Under-17 player Andre Steele rifled home a powerful point-blank shot past goalkeeper Romeo Reid, who was beaten at his near post.

In the 75th minute, Norman Manley substitute Dean Ferguson gave the hosts the equaliser when he head home a right-side cross from Jamali Spence.

In other Group D matches it was St. George's 1 Ardenne 0 and Dunoon Technical 2 Penwood 1.

Over in Group C, a 50th-minute strike from Kabari Palmer carried Calabar to a 1-0 victory over Wolmer's, while Kingston Tech and Campion College finished 0-0 and the match between Edith Dalton James and St. Catherine was rained out.

In Group B it was Eltham 0 Kingston College 0 and Kingston 1 Jose Marti 0.In Group F, St. Andrew Technical 6 Cumberland 0, Excelsior 5 Jonathan Grant 1 and Vauxhall 4 Trench Town 0.