Defending champs blank Holy Trinity

PLAYING ONE man short, defending champions Norman Manley blanked Holy Trinity 2-0 in a lacklustre Pepsi Manning Cup game at Breezy Castle yesterday.

It was Norman Manley's third straight win and they sit comfortably atop Group A with six points. Holy Trinity are second in the group with four points.

Referee Winston Delahaye had a busy afternoon, issuing eight yellow cards in addition to a red card.

Holy Trinity made a positive start, but fizzled after just a few minutes.

Norman Manley got on the scoresheet in the 18th minute through forward Kevin Mills who followed through on a failed attempt with a header.

Donovan Bernard's shot was tipped out by Holy Trinity's goalkeeper Kimarlie Manzie, giving Mills his break.

Holy Trinity earned a free kick 10 minutes later, but captain Matthew Newsome, who took the strike, sent the ball wide of the target.

The second half wasn't any more exciting but Holy Trinity made a more determined effort.

Coach Oscar Wright made two changes to bolster their attack - replacing Lennox Wright with O'Brien Kerr and James Durrant with Damion Cohen - but it proved unfruitful.

Norman Manley also made two substitutions as Kearn Binns went on for Mills and Rohan Evans for Kayon Cameron.

Evans didn't last long, picking up two yellow cards before being sent off for violent conduct.

This spurred Holy Trinity into action but despite good attempts by Richard Allison, Newsome and Durrant, they were unable to get to score.

Norman Manley continued to attack and were rewarded with goal number two in the 93rd minute when substitute Binns capitalised on a defensive error in front of the goal.

Said Norman Manley's coach Alrick Clarke, "The team played as expected, although they are still not up to the standard they should be. The guys still lack the confidence but we will improve as the season continues."

Holy Trinity's Oscar Wright, while disappointed with the result, was proud of his unit.

"They did their best out there. We started training too late so the team hasn't gelled together yet. We are nowhere near the required level of fitness. We just have to keep working on that and we'll be alright," he said.

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