Bridgeport, Glenmuir in pulsating 1-1 draw

Robert Bailey, Star Writer

Manning Cup champions Bridgeport High were held to an exciting 1-1 come from behind draw by daCosta Cup winners Glenmuir in the first leg of the ISSA/Pepsi/ JN Olivier Shield at the Prison Oval yesterday.

Glenmuir, who defeated Frome Technical 4-2 in the daCosta Cup finals two weeks ago, came out in the first half firing on all cylinders, and quickly took the lead in the 12th minute when John-Ross Doyley fired home a powerful close-range right-footed shot past goalkeeper Carllody Walters, courtesy of a well-placed left-sided shot from James Thomas.

A couple minutes later, Bridgeport's Thelophelus Samuels thought he had given his team the equaliser but his long-range effort was spectacularly saved by Glenmuir custodian Kristopher Lewis.

With the home team supporters cheering "Bridgeport', 'Bridgeport", at the half-time break, the Manning Cup champions were quick out of the blocks and were given the equaliser in the 46th minute when Samuels pounced on a loose ball inside the six-yard box which he calmly placed in the back of the net past goalkeeper Lewis.

"We started well but in the latter part of the game we became indisciplined and everybody wanted to carry the ball in the attacking third instead of finding the passes," said Bridgeport coach, Anthony Patrick.

Glenmuir coach Patrick 'Jackie' Walters expressed disappointment that his team may not play a return match as Saturday's second leg has been postponed due to the malaria outbreak.

"We were really looking forward to the second leg, but such is life," he said.

"What would have been interesting is how they would have held up at Brancourt. We would have been operating at maximum capacity on Saturday afternoon." he added.

Olivier Shield 2nd leg postponed

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

It is likely that Manning Cup champions Bridgeport High and daCosta Cup winners Glenmuir High will share the 2006 Olivier Shield as Saturday's return match has been called off.

The Ministry of Health, in consultation with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) medical adviser, Dr. Winston Dawes, has indefinitely postponed all football competitions across the island.

This is a precautionary measure taken against the background of the deadly malaria disease that is now affecting sections of the island. The disease is spread by the anopheles mosquito and there is greater risk of transferral at large gatherings.

"It is unlikely it (Oliver Shield) will be played on Saturday," Dr. Dawes said.

"I can't see the situation changing in two days," he said following yesterday's 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Dawes said the decision was taken to prevent persons coming from affected areas to unaffected areas and increase the chances of transferring the disease.

"It's a matter of trying to prevent people from coming there and taking it back to their communities," he said

Meanwhile, the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association's (ISSA) competitions director George Forbes, said they "will have to abide by the directives of the JFF and the Ministry of Health."

Forbes could not say when the match would be played.

"We have to meet next week and see where we go from here," he said, while hinting that the possibility of a second leg cancellation is likely.

With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, it is unlikely the second leg will be played at all.

Forbes also said the Urban Under-16 final between Wolmer's and St. George's, along with the rural Under-16 semis set for today at St. Elizabeth Technical High School, will also be affected.

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