Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Kingston College's Dwayne Darmond (left) controls the ball while holding off Bridgeport's Kevaughn White during their ISSA/Pepsi/JN Manning Cup game at Bridgeport High in Portmore yesterday. Darmond scored to hand KC a 1-0 win. - ANTHONY MINOTT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
KINGSTON COLLEGE'S (KC) second round chances remained in limbo, despite beating Bridgeport 1-0 in their final ISSA/Pepsi/JN Manning Cup match at Ferdie Neita Park yesterday.
Dwayne Darmond's header on 49 minutes assisted the 'Purples' to maintain their slim chance.
KC's coach Trevor 'Jumpy' Harris said his boys "... played a fortis game and I'm pleased with the guys. The win is really a good win for us," he said.
However, Harris is not too optimistic of his team's chances of a second round berth because he believes the St. Catherine teams are conspiring to keep them out.
KC's victory yesterday meant that they finished their fixtures on 20 points, three more than Eltham.
However, Eltham have one outstanding game against Group E leaders Bridgeport (21 points); and are in contention to get full points for an unplayed game at St. Jago last week, because the Monk Street-based team did not show up for its home game on its school compound last week Friday.
Harris said they are really upset with St. Jago's behaviour.
The KC coach said this decision "is detrimental to the football competition ... St. Jago don't turn up for a home game, which signals their intention and the St. Catherine conspiracy ... and we really would like the media to take up this situation.
"How can a schoolboy team having a home game, don't turn up for a game?" Harris questioned. "...This has really put the competition in a mess."
Competition's officer George Forbes of ISSA said no decision has yet been made regarding the match.
Forbes said: "We are awaiting reports from both schools (Eltham & St. Jago) and the referee before we can make a ruling."
In the meantime, Eltham will host Bridgeport in a rescheduled game tomorrow.
Harris, a former national player continued to express his disgust at the situation.
"What we are really upset about is St. Jago's decision and we think it will be really detrimental to football and setting a dangerous precedence, because any team now can buy their way into a competition, and that is what we are concerned about.
"We want a clear competition, and the St. Catherine factor, the St. Catherine phenomena must cut out of Manning Cup football. We want clear pure football and we must lose on the field, not off the field," he concluded.
KC totally dominated yesterday's proceedings and in the second half, came close to scoring on five or more occasions.
The midfield of KC really played a very good game, supplying McKally Talloch and Ocane Williamson with several passes. Despite finding themselves one-on-one with the Bridgeport's keeper, they either kicked wide, over the top or failed to make contact with ball.
Bridgeport's coach Anthony Patrick admitted it wasn't his day.
"Again in the mud and water we played a lacklustre game, but nevertheless we still leading the zone. We just have to go to Eltham now and achieve the three points and win the zone and put ourselves back in the Walker Cup."
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
Wolmers 2 Spanish Town 0
Donald Quarrie 3 St. Catherine 2.
