Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Bridgeport players and fans celebrate their 3-1 Manning Cup final victory over Excelsior at the National Stadium, yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

IN WHAT was considered a grudge match, Bridgeport spoiled Excelsior's 75th anniversary celebrations with a 3-1 victory in yesterday's ISSA/Pepsi/JN Manning Cup final in soggy conditions at the National Stadium.

An overwhelmed Bridgeport coach Anthony Patrick said yesterday's victory, which got off to a late start due to water-logged areas on the field, was the sweetest of the two he has had with the Portmore-based outfit.

"This one is sweeter than the first one," said Patrick, who guided the team to its first title in 2001.

As to the reason for the revenge, Patrick said: "In 2003, Excelsior broke up our 25th anniversary (with a 1-0 victory). This is their 75th anniversary and we broke it up today," an elated Patrick said.

A double strike from Theophilus Samuels knocked the steam out of the Mountain View-based school, which boasted two thirds of the fans in the grandstand. Samuels scored in the 14th and 87th minutes.

Third goal

André Steele scored Bridgeport's third goal in the 33rd minute.

Samuels' first came when he picked up a ball and dribbled past three defenders before firing hard past Excelsior's goalkeeper Chavon Bowen from 20 yards.

He scored his second, which killed Excelsior and triggered the Bridgeport fans to invade the field in an early celebration, when he again beat three defenders to fire powerfully home from the right side of the 18-yard box.

Steele's goal was scored when Excelsior's keeper and a defender made a mistake which caused Steele, the shortest of the three, to out-jump them and tap home from close range.

It was a mistake like that which left Excelsior coach Leebert Halliman unhappy.

"I think we played poorly, defensively, and that cost us the game. Two blatant errors by the goalkeeper and one by our central defender," Halliman said.

Akeen Nelson, who along with his teammates missed several chances, scored a 30-yard free kick in the 62nd minute as Bridgeport's goalkeeper, Carolloyd Walters, made a mess of it as the ball slipped through his hands.