Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

Norman Manley's Kimarlee Brissett (front) is challenged by a St. George's player during their ISSA/Digicel/Pepsi Manning Cup match yesterday at North Street. The game ended 1-1. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

PRE-SEASON FAVOURITES Norman Manley were held to an exciting, come-from-behind 1-1 draw by St. George's in the Inter-Secondary School Association (ISSA) Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup yesterday at Winchester Park.

In other games yesterday, Excelsior defeated Jonathan 3-2, St. Andrew Technical beat Cumberland 2-0, Vauxhall stopped Trench Town 2-1, Bridgeport edged Dunoon 2-1, Penwood defeated Haile Selassie 2-1, Eltham got by Kingston College 2-1, Jose Marti ran by Kingston High 2-1, Calabar stopped Wolmer's 1-0, Campion College beat Kingston Technical 1-0 and St. Catherine edged Edith Dalton James 1-0.

Early domination

St. George's' College dominated the early proceedings of their match and were rewarded in the 38th minute when Kemar Cummings headed home a left-sided cross.

Norman Manley's Jamali Spence looked set to give his team the equaliser on the stroke of half-time but his close-range effort went wide of the target.

Ten minutes into the second period, Norman Manley's Trizzan Evans' 30-yard free kick was tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Jabari Wallace.

A few moments later, Evans' teammate, Romario Campbell, dribbled his way past three defenders and, with Wallace at his mercy, his shot went wide of the target.

In the 77th minute, Spence gave Norman Manley the equaliser when his long-range volley went like a rocket past Wallace and into the back of the net.

Norman Manley's Kimarlee Brissett came close to giving his team the lead in the dying moments of the game but his point-blank effort was spectacularly saved by Wallace diving at full stretch to his left.

Neville 'Bertis' Bell, coach of St. George's', was pleased with his team's performance.

"It was a good game overall," said Bell. "I thought we should have had more goals in the first half but, at the end of the game, I am happy for the point.

"I think when we scored the goal we backed off too much. But I thought that Norman Manley played pretty well and they ran hard so I give them a lot of credit. This was a good schoolboy game because it was exciting and I am happy that we maintained our unbeaten record."

Alrick Clarke, coach of Norman Manley, said: "We weren't efficient in scoring goals today and it's a problem that we have been having for the past couple of seasons. However, it was a fairly good game, we enjoyed it."