BT feeling great after eight straight

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 14 March 2017

Theron Wood celebrates his second goal

Bodden Town FC coach Elbert McLean told his team ahead of Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash against Elite SC that they should treat it like the biggest game of the season. And if there was any doubt that his players listen to his words, their play against the second-placed side should erase those doubts.

“I told the guys in the changing room that this game is one of the biggest games for the season. If you want to win this league, you have to win this match,” Coach Elbert told CaymanSportsBuzz.com afterward.

Playing on their home turf at the Haig Bodden Playing Field, Bodden Town FC started enthusiastically, with Karl Solomon threatening goal in the 8^th minute with a shot that went high but was enough to signal to Danner Taylor between the pipes that they meant business.

In a game featuring the top two sides in the Cayman Premier League this season, it was likely that any advantage would be gained from a mistake. Such an opportunity present itself when Elite midfielder Rene Carter was booked for a tackle in the 33^rd minute. Karl Solomon took the free kick from about 25 yards out and rocketed past a diving Taylor.

A minute later, Theron Wood brought the crowd to life showcasing his skillful dribbling and keeping defenders on their heels. However, his shot was high.

Another chance came in the 39^th when Bodden Town was given a penalty kick. Wood decided it was his time, putting the ball into the back of the net before celebrating with the crowd. The lead was doubled to 2-0.

With his side down, Elite captain Wesley Robinson urged his teammates to keep their heads up, as the game was not over yet. But it might have been, as Bodden Town is stellar when preserving a lead.

Five minutes into the second frame, Wood struck again with an amazing finish to stretch the lead to 3-0. Elite got one back in the 61^st, when Christopher Reeves headed home a free kick from the right wing that was expertly placed by Carter. There was renewed life for Elite, who refused to give up.

Casey McLaughlin ensured Elite knew it would be no easy task to mount a comeback, when the young forward scored in the 73^rd minute. Abijah Rivers scored in the 76^th to cut the lead to two goals but that’s where the scoring would end, as Bodden Town cemented their lead atop the standings.

The 4-2 win was their eighth straight in league play and stretched their lead to 10 points over Elite with six games left in the season. Elite, however, has a game in hand.

McLean was happy with what he saw from his squad. “It means a lot,” he said of the win over their rivals. “Like I told them in the changing room at half time, I told them ‘You guys look like Bodden Town tonight!’”

He stressed though that while the win was an important step towards taking the title, it’s not a done deal yet and he won’t allow them to let their guard down. “No, no, no. Not yet. I hope that they can perform right throughout the season like they did last night and I will try my best to keep them on that tempo,” the veteran coach told CaymanSportsBuzz.com.

In other Cayman Premier League action on 12 March, Academy Sports Club beat Sunset FC 2-0 at the Annex. Jonah Ebanks scored his league high 12^th goal of the 2016-17 campaign. Romario Dixon scored the other.

Cayman Athletic had to settle for a second straight draw after enjoying a first half lead. Christopher Ebanks put Athletic ahead in the 25^th minute before Jarol Smith levelled for Latinos FC 11 minutes from full time to ensure the teams shared the points.

Unofficial Cayman Premier League standings through 15 of 21 weeks

TEAM	W	L	D	POINTS
Bodden Town FC	12	2	1	37
Elite SC	8	3	3	27
Scholars Int’l	6	4	4	22
Academy SC	6	7	2	20
Latinos FC	4	6	5	17
Roma United	4	8	2	14
Sunset FC	4	8	1	13
Cayman Athletic	3	8	4	13