Levien’s goal takes BT to the top

Levien (77) points to the heavens after the match-winner.

A late goal from Tevon Levien on Sunday night (20 November) ensured Bodden Town FC took sole possession of the top of the table after seven weeks in the 2016-17 Cayman Premier League season.

It was a fast-paced and tense encounter when Bodden Town FC met Latinos FC at the Annex.

Jonathan Ebanks had a chance to put Bodden Town out front in the 17th minute but his side-footed shot was off the mark.

Physical play was the order of the day and the referee’s whistle would constantly be heard as he issued seven yellow cards.

The first was given to Latinos’ Ever Alvarado-Scott for a reckless tackle in the 18th, with another quickly shown to his teammate Bob Connor for dissent when he had some choice words for the ref. It was another six minutes before Marvel Moore Hyde was booked for a tackle from behind that the Bodden Town bench was adamant a red should have been given.

Karl Solomon was all over the pitch for BT.

Karl Solomon was all over the pitch for BT.

Ziecko Herrera blasted one from about 25 yards out but was too high for BT keeper Ramon Sealy to be bothered about it.

Kyle Leon and Ricoh Brown combined to put the Latinos defenders on their heels late in the first half but the scoresheet remained blank. Brown also expertly placed a free kick to Santangelo Bush’s head but it went over the crossbar.

Out came the yellow card again for another reckless tackle, this time being issued to Jahmelie Durrant in the 40th.

The ref’s whistle blew again a few minutes later but this time to indicate the first half ended. Play had barely resumed before another card was issued, the most significant of the match, as Alvarado-Scott was booked for a second time to leave Latinos a man short.

Dereck Rivers was stellar between the pipes and was called upon to save a free kick from Brown, who picked up a yellow a few minutes later.

In the 55th, a free kick from Herrera worried the Bodden Town defenders a bit but nothing came of it in the end.

Levien (right) made a well-timed run from the back to provide the match-winner.

Levien (right) made a well-timed run from the back to provide the match-winner.

Substitute David Connolly connected with Bush coming down the left but Bush’s shot went wide. The left proved to be Bodden Town’s strength when Joshwa Clarke found Levien as darted from the back toward goal and made it count in the 69th to give his side the hard-earned lead.

“Kyle dropped back to left back and I made the overlapping run. As I made the run, I talked to Joshwa Clarke and I told him to feed it through. So, I ran into the space, he fed it through and I shot it in,” Levien said describing the team effort.

Pressure built in front of the Bodden Town goal once more but Herrera’s header from point blank range would only have counted if two goals were stacked on top of each other.

Enrique Ruiz missed a header in the 83rd that had the potential to bring things level. He was booked for a tackle on Sealy outside of the box in added time.

In the end, Levien’s tally was all Bodden Town needed, as both Rivers and Sealy should be praised for their work in front the net. Karl Solomon in defense was also a big performer for Bodden Town.

With Elite losing elsewhere, the result gives Bodden Town a three-point lead atop the standings.

“It’s definitely pleasing but it just shows that we have to work harder to stay on top. We have a praying team. We have God on our side. So, once we keep him within our team, I know that we will stay at the top of the table,” the goal scorer said.

Coach Elbert McLean is pleased with what he’s seen from his squad so far, having only lost one game so far. “It’s feeling good to see the team coming together and gelling more. That’s the most important part of the season. I don’t want them to peak too early [but] they’re coming together.”

Up next is a match-up of the top two teams in the standings, a rematch from the opening week when Bodden Town relied on a late goal From Andra Allen to win. The veteran coach knows his players will be ready for that one. “Elite is a big rival. That alone will get the guys pumped and ready for next week,” he said.

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