Bridgeport High's ace forward, Darren Mattocks, celebrating one of his five goals against Waterford at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Bridgeport High, led by five goals from striker Darren Mattocks, thrashed Waterford 8-0 at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday to secure their spot in the semi-finals of the 2009 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup competition.

Bridgeport joined early qualifiers, defending champions St George's College, Excelsior High and St Andrew Technical in the semi-finals.

Bridgeport topped Group Two on goal difference with six points, ahead of Waterford (six) and Eltham (six). The latter defeated the pointless Norman Manley 4-2 at the Constant Spring Sports Complex in the day's other game.

Mattocks scored his goals in the 36th, 43rd, 45th, 48th and 60th for Bridgeport, who led 6-0 at half-time. Adoah Nickle (2nd) and 26th) and Jamiel Hardware (37th) were the other scorers for Bridgeport. Anthony Patrick, coach of Bridgeport, said he was delighted with his team's performance.

Patrick said they had several meetings with the team and "this got them ready" to face their opponents.

Meanwhile, Floyd Coke, coach of Waterford, who only needed a draw to advance to the semi-finals, said: "We have never been able to beat our neighbours and that problem continues, therefore, we just have to retool and come again," Coke said.

The semi-finals, which will be played on Saturday at a venue to be announced, will see Bridgeport tackling St Andrew Technical and Excelsior opposing St George's College.