WOLMER’S Boys’ took pole position in Group J after edging Bridgeport High 2-1 yesterday at the Spanish Town Prison Oval in the second round of the ISSA/LIME Manning Cup competition.

Jordan James opened the scoring for Wolmer’s in the seventh minute before Clayon Pusey equalised for Bridgeport in the 42nd. Jason Greenland sealed the points for the Ludlow Bernard-coached team in the 54th minute.

In the second match at the venue, Norman Manley High clipped Holy Trinity High 2-1.

Wolmer’s lead the group with six points from two matches, while Bridgeport and Norman Manley are locked on three, and Holy Trinity are out of contention without a point.

In the curtain-raiser, Bernard conceded that Wolmer’s “struggled to contain a good midfield-oriented Bridgeport side”, while adding that his team’s “persistence prevailed”.

Bridgeport’s coach Tyrone Roberts lamented that his team “lacked firepower” in attack and “need a quality striker”. Wolmer’s took the lead when the fleet-footed Jaheel Hyde broke down the right side in plenty of space.

Hyde, the 2013 World Youth sprint hurdles gold medallist, shrugged off a defender before speeding away and playing a grounded pass to the unmarked James who tapped home.

Bridgeport’s Rojay Smith got the chance to equalise midway the first half when he turned sweetly inside the box, but his left-footed shot was saved by Wolmer’s goalkeeper Dane Lee.

Thereafter, Bridgeport took control in midfield and they eventually made the advantage count against the highly touted Wolmer’s team.

Three minutes before the break, Clayon Pusey took advantage of a mix-up in the Wolmer’s defence and held off his marker before striking crisply past Lee.

Bridgeport continued to take the game to their opponents, but Wolmer’s took the lead for good when Greenland’s free kick from deep on the right side eluded the ‘keeper Zachry Whitter.

Only the top team in each of the four second round groups advances to the semi-finals of the Manning Cup.

The competition breaks today before resuming tomorrow with a pair of games in Group K at Constant Spring.Camperdown High (three points) will challenge title-holders St George’s College (three) at 1:00 pm, while at 3:00 pm, the winless duo of Calabar High and Spanish Town High will clash.