Top two ready - Bridgeport physically and mentally prepared, says Mattocks

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Bridgeport High's 19-year-old forward, Darren Mattocks, is pleased with the way things have gone so far for his school. The Manning Cup's leading marksman with 23 goals believes his team's biggest problem all season has been inconsistency.

"Bridgeport's biggest challenge has been playing consistently at a very good level, but by the grace of God the season has gone quite well so far," Mattocks said.

According to Mattocks, his team is ready for today's final.

"We are physically and mentally prepared and once Bridgeport play how Bridgeport can play I know we will win," Mattocks said.

Mattocks has to date had a very fruitful football career. He started out playing at the under-15 level for Passagefort, where he scored two goals in seven games. He also played Super League for Naggo Head at age 16, and he came off the bench to find the back of the net twice. He is signed to Waterhouse FC and in the 2007-08 season he scored 14 goals in 18 games in the JFF Under-21 league.

Key member

Last year, Mattocks was a key member of Waterhouse's Premier League team and started in several matches. He also played in the first two games of the current season before concentrating on the Manning Cup.

He made a good start to this season's ISSA/Pepsi/ Digicel Manning Cup competition, scoring a whopping five goals in his team's first game against Kingston High.

He collected another five-goal haul in his team's final second-round group match against Waterford. His goals ensured a crucial win which secured his team's passage to the semi-finals. This latter performance has been described by Mattocks as his "most memorable" this season.

Anthony Patrick, Bridgeport's coach, who has been coaching Mattocks for the past six years, believes he is a very good striker.

"He is one of the best off-the-ball movers in the country and he is very easy to coach," Patrick said.