Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Rusea's dimunitive defender Demar Lawrence (right) finds himself in deep trouble against Hopewell High's Emiel Ellis (left) and Alwayne Bryann during yesterday's daCosta Cup fixture between the teams in Lucea, Hanover. Rusea's won 2-0. - Photo by Adrian Frater

LAST YEAR'S beaten finalists, Bridgeport High, maintained their unbeaten record in ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup with a commanding 3-0 win over parish neighbours José Marti Technical at José Marti yesterday.

One of the favourites for this year's competition, Bridgeport were led to victory thanks to a brace from forward Adoah Nickle and a strike from national youth representative Andre Steele.

Nickle scored in 27th minute and and then 11 minutes after the break, while Steele, who was a standout with his slick passes and slippery moves, netted 14 minutes from time.

Other results

In other results, champions Jamaica College and Wolmer's Boys battled to 1-1 draw at Heroes Circle to keep their unbeaten records intact, Kingston College, through a double from the competition's leading goalscorer, Mckauley Tulloch (14 goals from five games), defeated Penwood High 4-0, St Andrew Technical outscored St Catherine 4-1.

Meanwhile Eltham, another undefeated team, got the better of St Jago 2-0, Jonathan Grant stopped Denham Town 2-0, while it was 1-1 between cellar teams Mona and Vauxhall.

At José Marti, where a fair-size crowd was on hand to witness the encounter, the home team, which was 2-1-1 heading into the match, started confidently and was actually in control for most of the first part of the first half.

However, as soon as Bridgeport found their rhythm, they were reduced to mere bystanders.

The first goal, which came almost against the run of play, was scored when Nickle found himself on the end of a loose ball that rebounded off the crossbar and with the goalkeeper Rolando Sewell at his mercy, he buried it, much to the delight of his team.

The score remained 1-0 until the start of the second half when Nickle, again lurking in the area, was the beneficiary of a one-two-three pass, and with only Steele to beat, he calmly slotted home.

The third and final goal was then scored by Steele who, from about midway in the penalty area, side-footed a one-time cross into the roof of the net.

"At the start, we took José Marti lightly and they came at us. However, once we settled down, we assumed control of the game," said Anthony Patrick, coach of Bridgeport. "It's the first time this season that we are getting three goals in match and, to me, that is a plus. The players were enjoying themselves and this is what I want to see."

Not surprised

Patrick counterpart, Calvin Fitzgerald, who is in his first season with the Spanish Town-based José Marti, said he was not disappointed with his team's performance as it was beaten by a seasoned side.

"We were beaten by a better team," he said. "We started the season well with two wins. But in our last two games against Waterford and now Bridgeport, we were brought down back to earth. It's my first season in charge and what I am trying to do is build a football culture. That is happening slowly, but surely."

Yesterday's results

Group C

Vauxhall 1 Mona 1, Jonathan Grant 2 Denham Town 0, Wolmer's Boys' 1 Jamaica College 1.

Group D

St. Jago 0 Eltham 2, Bridgeport 3 José Marti 0.

Group F

Kingston High 3 Edith Dalton James 2, Penwood 0 Kingston College 4, St Catherine 1 St Andrew Technical 4.