Defending champs get win after lengthy layoff

Kyle Santamaria was energetic on the wing for Bodden Town.

In their return to action following a lengthy competitive layoff, defending champions Bodden Town Football Club on 28 January picked up a valuable three points with a 2-0 win over East End in the 2017/18 CIFA Premier League campaign.

Kyle Santamaria and Tevon Levien made East End defenders work hard to keep them in check for much of the first half but could not get the much sought-after goal. There was a chance just before the half-an-hour mark when Santamaria’s shot was denied by Dexter Benliss diving to his right and getting a glove to it. The ball rebounded to Breshawn Watson, who was making his senior debut, but his attempt hit the crossbar and out of play.

East End, playing at home, gave supporters some home when they pressed forward with a few chances in the final 10 minutes of the first half, forcing Bodden Town’s Ramon Sealy to show off his glove work, but neither side would have the advantage on the scoresheet when the interval arrived.

Being held scoreless through the first 45 by a side seeking their first win of the season may have ignited a fire under the champs, who came out with a clear plan after the break.

In the 49th, Danu Smith pushed up the left wing and pulled Benliss out of position from the East End net, allowing Watson with a clear path for a simple finish for his maiden top-flight goal.

The teenager, who terrorized defenders in youth leagues in recent years, might have been a boy among men on the pitch when it came to stature but he showed he was not out of his depth at this level. He had another golden chance in the 61st but pushed his shot wide of the mark.

Breshawn Watson (9) scored in his CIFA Premier League debut.

Levein, who constantly pushed forward, beat the keeper in the 66th but hit the woodwork and saw his shot ricochet back into play. Ricoh Brown doubled the lead with an easy finish in the 74th, as Bodden Town held off the East End challenge.

It was a close game for much of the encounter but Bodden Town did enough to take the points. East End, however, could take some positives from the game, though a moral victory would not have been what they were in search of when they laced up their boots. Nonetheless, it was a good showing by a team at the bottom of the standings versus a club that collected two pieces of silverware last season.

BTFC captain Ramon Sealy described it as a good win, having not played a league match since before the Christmas break due to scheduling and weather interruptions.

“We’re trying to regroup. With the type of season we’ve been having, it’s not been the easiest on the guys. It’s hard to just come out and train a lot and not be able to put what we have in training into the game, but we just have to look forward to the rest of the season and go dominate to retain our trophy,” he told CaymanSportsBuzz.com.

He was also pleased to see young Watson involved. “It’s nice to see the youth programme being able to step up. Coming out here, he scored his first goal on his debut. Hopefully, he can press on and get more composure in front of goal and I’m sure there’s more from him to come.”

This was Bodden Town’s third win from four league games with their only loss coming on the opening night at the hands of Scholars International. Unlike last season, there will be no league and FA Cup double – they were bounced from the cup in the first round by Sunset FC. East End are winless for the campaign, losing for the seventh straight game.

In other Week 9 games:

Dwight Dunk’s goal in the 88th minute gave Scholars International the 1-0 win over Latinos FC in a match-up of two of the three teams tied on points atop the table entering the weekend. This was Latinos first loss of the season to follow their draw with Roma United in their last league game.

Meantime, Roma United kept pace with Scholars with a 4-1 win over North Side. Goals came from Delano Mitchell (24’), Conaine Rose (45’), Cesar Escoto Puerto (48’) and Kimani Finn (88’). Christopher Kerr scored in injury time for North Side.

Future Sports Club held off Academy Sports Club for a 1-0 win on Courtney Duval’s 89th minute strike.

Sunset FC picked overcame a 2-0 first half deficit to pick up their fourth win of the campaign with a 3-2 win over George Town SC. Tex Whitelocke (24’) and Kareem Cornwell (40’) put George Town out front before Paul Young pulled Sunset within a goal in the 44th minute. Second half goals from Peter Boda (75’) and Thomas Chipchase (80’) saw Sunset take the three points from their Sunday night match-up at the Annex.

Cayman Brac FC and Tigers FC played to a 2-2 draw. Kank Bennett secured a brace (30’ pk, 78’) for Tigers, while Ian Kirkwood (44’) and Bryron Cobachuela (55’) scored for Cayman Brac, who earned their first point from seven league outings.

Most teams get a layoff this weekend, as the semifinals of the FA Cup are scheduled. Elite SC and Cayman Brac FC meet at the Annex at 8:00 p.m. Saturday. Academy SC and Sunset FC play at the same venue Sunday at 7:00 p.m.

 

Unofficial CIFA Premier League standings as of 29 Jan. 18

TEAM P W D L GF GA GD PTS
1 Scholars Int’l 7 6 1 0 23 4 19 19
2 Roma United 8 6 1 1 21 6 15 19
2 Latinos FC 7 5 1 1 22 8 14 16
4 Academy SC 6 4 0 2 19 10 9 12
5 Sunset FC 6 4 0 2 10 8 2 12
6 Elite SC 7 3 2 2 12 7 5 11
7 Future SC 9 3 2 4 8 19 -11 11
8 Cayman Athletic 5 3 1 1 15 6 9 10
9 Bodden Town FC 4 3 0 1 8 3 5 9
10 George Town SC 9 2 1 6 16 21 -5 7
11 Tigers FC 7 1 2 4 11 23 -12 5
12 North Side SC 8 1 2 5 8 16 -8 5
13 Cayman Brac FC 6 0 1 5 4 21 -17 1
14 East End SC 7 0 0 7 4 29 -25 0

 

 

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