Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Bridgeport's Andre Steele controls the ball ahead of two Norman Manley opponents in action from their ISSA/Pepsi/Jamaica National Manning Cup clash at the Constant Spring complex yesterday. Norman Manley won 2-0. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
TIVOLI HAMMERED Charlie Smith by a 4-1 margin, but a 2-0 beating of Bridgeport by Norman Manley yesterday at the Constant Spring complex puts the Walker Cup champions in dire straits in terms of their bid for a semi-final place in the 2005 ISSA/Pepsi/JN Manning Cup.
Norman Manley, led by an Andre Fagon scorcher slammed into the back of the net in the 56th minute, and a penalty by Norman Bailey in the 75th minute, are on six points from two games, which places them in an excellent position for the second round.
"We have one game left to go against Charlie Smith and we know that they will be coming for us, but we will just be going out to try and win." Norman Manley's coach Alrick Clarke, said he was looking to the round's final fixture.
UNLUCKY
However, Bridgeport have to consider themselves a bit unlucky as for the second game in a row they dominated possession, but failed to find the back of the net.
In the day's early game, a 10-man Tivoli Gardens team came from a goal down to turn back a spirited Charlie Smith. Craig Hunter gave his team the early advantage in the eighth minute. However, Tivoli were really up against it in the 16th minute when Winston Harris, after already being cautioned by the referee, head-butted a Charlie Smith opponent less than a minute later to book himself an early trip to the showers.
Surprisingly, despite being a man down, Tivoli assumed control of the game as they easily passed the ball around before going forward to score at will on an always-chasing Charlie Smith. Earl Roberts brought his team back level with a 23rd minute header.
MORE GOALS
It was more goals for Tivoli in the second half as Fabian Campbell (52nd) and substitute Michael Spence (69th) each added a goal to the tally. Their captain, Jermaine Allen, capped things off in the 86th minute when a well-worked, one-two play between himself and Richard Stern saw him break wide to the left of Charlie Smith custodian Dervon Brown.
Tivoli's coach Dave Clarke said he was never worried about his team falling a goal behind. "Although we were down a goal and and 10 men I knew we were always capable of beating them," Clarke said. "They are not that strong a team and we knew we would have won the game once the players put their heads to it," he said.
Tivoli now have to win against Bridgeport and hope for a Norman Manley loss against Charlie Smith if they are to advance in the top spot. Having already lost a game, advancing as the best second-place team seem highly unlikely.
