Brave Bridgeport claim Colts title

Photo: Kevaugh Brown grabs hold of his teammate Javier Cassie as they celebrate the game winner in the ISSA/WATA Urban Area Under 16 schoolboy football title on Wednesday. Bridgeport won the game 1-0

Bridgeport High school produced a stout hearted performance to overcome a determined St. Andrew Technical High school 1-0 in the finals of the ISSA/WATA Under-16 (Colts) football finals at the Constant Spring field on Wednesday. The goal came 11 minutes before the full time whistle in an absorbing and competitive match.

Bridgeport started the game like a house on fire with Kevaugh Brown leading the charge for the St. Catherine based school. STATHS clawed their way back into the match as both teams fought for dominance in midfield.
The first half produced very few chances with STATHS shading possession and territorial advantage in the first stanza.

STATHS started the second half the same as they finished the first, pushing back their opponents in search of the opening goal, but midway the half they were given a scare by Bridgeport when a chipped effort from Carlyle Goodwin on the edge of the area came crashing back off the crossbar with the keeper, Xavier Lormeous, well beaten.

Bridgeport took control of what was becoming a bruising contest as tackles started flying as STATHS struggled to cope with the pace of their attack. Just as the game appeared to be drifting towards extra time Javier Cassie scored what would prove to be the winner for his school.

Bridgeport earned a corner kick on the left side and as the team in red tried to force the ball home it appeared to hit the arm of a STATHS defender. Even before appeals could go up for a penalty appeal, Cassie reacted to prod the ball home from 3 yards.

All hopes of a STATHS comeback were dashed two minutes later when their captain Stanley Peterkin, was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card in the game.

Bridgeport coach Garnett Lawrence credited desire as a contributing factor to the team’s success.
“We wanted it more, we have to give God thanks for this win. We have been able to maintain our unbeaten run and we are happy for that.

“We asked the players to remain focused at half time and it is no surprise that we scored from a set play because that is how most of our goals have come this season,” an elated Lawrence concluded.