Kwesi Mugisa, Staff reporter

Last year's beaten finalists, Bridgeport High, marched into the semi-finals of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup following a 3-0 win over Norman Manley at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.

The win saw Bridgeport maintain their position at the top of Group One, moving to seven points. In the day's other Group One game at the Constant Spring Complex, Wolmer's and Kingston College (KC) effectively ended each other's season following a 3-3 draw.

The tie means that KC finish on two points, while Wolmer's although still mathematically having a chance to advance as the best second placed team on four, find themselves in a highly unlikely position to do so.

At the Spanish Town Prison Oval, Darren Mattock gave the former champions the start they needed when they netted in the 10th minute. Bridgeport's top scorer Adoah Nickle then netted in the 44th, before putting the game beyond doubt in the 62nd minute.

In muddy conditions and intermittent rain at the Constant Spring Complex Wolmer's also got off to a dream start when Atiba Morgan, returning from a one match ban, collected a cross from striker Christopher Waugh and stuck the ball into the back of the net in the second minute.

immediate impact

The Heroes Circle team threatened to break the game wide open when Morgan netted again in the 11th, but that never materialised. Arsenio Walker pulled a goal back for KC in the 22nd minute, before striking a cross to goal which skipped off the surface off Wolmer's goalkeeper Jason Lewis and into the back of the net.

Midfielder Akeem Brown made an almost immediate impact after coming on the pitch in the 62nd minute, providing Nicholai Holness with the 64th minute go ahead goal. Substitute Jevaugh Husey, however, once again pulled the scores level when he netted in the 86th minute.

"We came here wanting all three points today, we got the goals early but it was just a lack of concentration on the part of the players," said Wolmer's coach Michael Francis.

KC coach Ludlow Barker believed his team made the best use of their opportunities but just did not have enough in the end.

"We took our chances but unfortunately we went down early and had to play catch up for most of the game," he said.

The remaining semi-finalists will be decided today from four games at three venues. At Constant Spring Group Three leader's St George's, who already have six points will look to secure their place with a win or draw over Jamaica College. The other fixture will see Group Two leaders St Andrew Technical on four points, look to secure their place in the next round when they tackle Calabar, who will be aiming for a win to remain in contention. Also in with a shot of advancing to the next round Excelsior (2) must win against Tivoli (1).