Bernard stunner lifts Campion over Manley

A STUNNING strike from defender Aiden Bernard proved the difference for Campion College as they clipped Norman Manley High School 1-0 yesterday in ISSA/WATA Manning Cup Zone D action at the Maxfield Park field.

Bernard’s goal in the 43rd minute secured all three points for Campion, securing their spot in the play-off round.

Newton Sterling, head coach of Campion, praised his team for their resilience in what he described as a “tough” encounter.

“It was a tough outing but the boys came up big. They fought hard and they got the one goal,” he said.

“This one is a very well-deserved win and I’m very happy. An ugly win is better than a pretty loss, and I tell the boys they always have to find that boost to go out there and win games, no matter.”

The first half provided end-to-end action even as neither team allowed time nor space for patterns of play to emerge.

Campion looked to dictate the tempo through the middle, orchestrated by midfield maestro Djaz Less, while Norman Manley looked to hit with pace on the counter, looking for target man Davine Dodd.

The Campionites produced the better opportunities in the first half and came close to the opener in the 38th minute when Norman Manley cheaply turned over possession in their own penalty area.

However, Streme Cha would rush his final effort and send his shot far off the mark.

Campion made up for the missed opportunity four minutes later when Bernard left the field stunned with his strike.

A corner delivery into the box would find Bernard free at the back post and he met the cross with a well-struck one-time effort that flew into the back of the net.

Norman Manley came all guns blazing in the second half in search of the equaliser, and came close in the 46th minute when Dodd forced a last-ditch save from Campion’s custodian Alexander Marr.

Norman Manley continued to pile on the pressure but could not break down a robust Campion defence.

Ashawny Barrett thought he found the equaliser with the final action of the game but fell in despair as his header from close range crashed off the crossbar and was eventually cleared by Campion’s defence.

Sterling said the win was especially important for Campion, as they had only won one of their last four games.

They defeated Clan Carthy High 2-0 in their previous outing, but were held to a 1-1 draw by Penwood High while falling 1-0 to Eltham High and St Catherine High.

Sterling said while the team was not at their best, it was a boost in confidence to enter the play-off round with a win.

“It’s a moral boost for the team on the whole because we came off two losses and then we played a game the other day, it wasn’t so good but we won,” he said.

“The first round has been a bit shaky for us, so we’re just trying to find our footing.”

The results mean St Catherine High, who remain perfect, topped the zone with 21 points having defeated Innswood High 8-0, while Eltham takes the second spot with 18 points, following their 5-0 win over Papine.

Campion takes the third position with 13 points, while Norman Manley, despite the defeat, will claim the final play-off spot with nine points.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday’s results

Norman Manley 0-1 Campion

Papine 0-5 Eltham

Clan Carthy 2-4 Penwood

Innswood 0-8 St Catherine

Jonathan Grant 0-1 St George’s

Holy Trinity 0-2 Excelsior

St Jago 2-0 Hydel

Haile Selassie 0-3 Charlie Smith

Denham Town 0-3 KC (Denham Town forfeited the match)

Tivoli Gardens 6-2 José Martí