Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Bridgeport moved to within a point of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup semi-finals after dispatching Wolmer's 2-1 at the Stadium East field yesterday.

In what some observers described as Bridgeport's worst performance of the season, Andr? Steel and Daren Mattock scored within a minute of each other, in the 33rd and 34th minutes, to secure their team's second victory from as many second-round starts in group one.

Andr? Sharpe had earlier gave Wolmer's the lead in the 21st minute.

In the venue's second game, Kamal Bedward's 58th-minute strike gave Jamaica College (JC) a 1-0 win over St. Andrew Technical High School (STATHS).

JC's win made it a two-way battle with one round to play.

Lead in standings

Bridgeport, with two wins, lead the standings with six points ahead of JC (four) and Wolmer's (one). STATHS are still without a point.

Bridgeport are just a draw away from the semis, while JC are in a must-win situation. In the opening game, Bridge-port got most of the clear-cut chances but poor shooting let them down.

In the second half, Wolmer's came out with more purpose but, despite their dominance in midfield, poor finishing and miscommunication proved costly for them as well.

Bridgeport also had some good chances including a few one-on-ones with Wolmer's goalkeeper Kirkland Hamilton but, again, Nicoy Christian and company failed to finish.

Poor playing

Bridgeport's coach, Anthony Patrick, said his team played poorly.

"It was not a good game but nevertheless we did the important thing by winning and taking all three points," said Patrick. "The passing game was not there. We just have to continue work and win, even if we don't play a good game."

Michael Francis, coach of Wolmer's, said his team lost a keenly-contested game.

"It was a very good game, I think the two teams played well," said Francis. "Tactically, I made some adjustments and we just did not convert on the chances we got, but it's football ... and two good teams played, the results is always going to be like that with the odd goal."