Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

DEFENDING MANNING Cup champions Bridgeport High and Jamaica College (JC) booked their places in the semi-finals of this year's Walker Cup competition at yesterday's quarter-final doubleheader at the Spanish Town Prison Oval.

In the opening game, JC, led by a hat-trick from former national Under-17 representative Ramone Palmer, cruised to a 4-1 victory over Norman Manley.

Palmer scored his goals in the 11th, 31st and 56th minutes. He received solid support from teammate Anthony Grant, who netted the other goal for the Old Hope Road-based team in the 37th minute.

Jamarli Spence netted the lone goal for Norman Manley in the 13th minute.

In the day's second game, Bridgeport, led by a brace from Darren Mattocks, edged last year's winners, Eltham, 3-2.

Alfred Henry, the coach of JC, was surprised by his team's margin of victory.

"I wasn't expecting this kind of win because they (Norman Manley) have a good coach and they also have a good unit. We came to play extra hard because we were expecting a good game," said Henry.

"I think there are some things that we still need to work on, which won't be disclosed at this time, and we'll see how it goes in training this week," he said.

Dominated

Bridgeport dominated the late game from the opening whistle and were rewarded in the 10th minute when Nicoy Christian fired home a powerful, close-range shot past goalkeeper Kelso Cousins.

Mattocks doubled Bridgeport's lead in the 37th minute with a strong 20-yard shot against the run of play for a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Eltham came out in the second period looking much the better team and were reward in the 68th minute when Hubert Mike's point-blank shot went through the hands of goalkeeper Geovanni Smith.

Mike then equalised in the 89th minute when he dribbled his way past three Bridgeport defenders and fired past Smith.

Mattock put the issue beyond doubt in injury time with a long-range shot which went like rocket past Cousins.

Brilliant first half

Anthony Patrick, coach of Bridgeport, said: "I think we had a brilliant first half because this is what we have been doing throughout season. However, in the second half, we always tend to slow down the tempo of the game because the players want to dribble the ball around and showboat and we have to do something about that.

" I didn't worry when they (Eltham) equalised against us because we know that we had the fight in us, especially whenever our backs are against the wall we always push ourselves and we did that today."

Meanwhile, Gregory Allen, coach of Eltham, praised his team for its gallant effort. "I am a bit disappointed," said Allen. "But I am pleased with the effort of my youngsters in the second half and must say thumbs up to them today.

"I think Bridgeport played a brilliant first half and I made a couple of changes in the second half and it paid off, even though we lost the game."

The quarter-finals continue tomorrow with another doubleheader at the same venue. Calabar will play STATHS and Excelsior and Camperdown will do battle.