Sports
FA Cup Finals: Bodden TownPromises Excitement
Mitchell Connor, DavidClaire (goalkeepers); Dwayne Connor (defender) Peterkin Berry,player representative (defender); Phillip Berry (midfielder);Dwayne Seymour, assistant manager (forward); Arturo Johnson (defender);Hartwell Minzett, Jerome Wood, Kenzel Dixon (midfielders); RicoBodden, captain (forward);Thomas Wood (forward); Tito Bonilla(defender); Tyrone Gibson (forward); Cesar Antunez (midfielder);RobertWebster (forward); Kris Anderson (midfielder); Stafford Berry(forward); Alexis Bodden (midfielder); Aron Berry (forward) MarioBerry (midfielder); Aron Frederick (forward); Easton Russell,Renard Powell (defenders) Elbert McLean (Coach); Al Frederick(Assistant Coach); Mark Scotland (President); Kennedy Kelly (Manager);Vincent Frederick (Equipment Manager)
After what was described as an unimpressivestart in the league championships, Bodden Town FC rallied backto end in a position of strength, from which they will face ScholarsInternational Football Club in the FA Cup Finals on 27 May at7:00 p.m. at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
With three national players numbered inthe squad and based on its season performance, Coach Elbert McLeancould confidently assert that "overall the team is strong"going into the final.
The FA Cup Final, which takes place duringthe Cayman Island's Football Association's Youth Football Week,27 May to 4 June, will feature the men's match up, the women'sgame at 3:00 p.m. and the under 14 square off between Future FCand Scholars at 5:00 p.m.
"Fans can look forward to some excitingfootball," Coach McLean promised. "We intend to keepour composure and let the ball do the work."
"The players are pumped up and ready,"he added, stressing that it is not the first time that the teamis in the finals. But this time he says: "We need to winthis cup. It will be an inspiration to the young players."
President of CIFA, Jeffrey Webb had highpraise for BT's progress to the finals. "Bodden Town mustbe congratulated for making it to the final, despite a weak start.The fact that they kept going despite the odds and are now atthis point is a tribute to the perseverance and good leadershipof the club," Mr. Webb said.
Team manager, Kennedy Kelly, himself a formerplayer who has been with Bodden Town FC since 1975, notes that"a lot of commitment and hard work" have taken the teamto its present standing.
Bodden Town Football Club, he notes, hasa number of talented young players, whose game could take themto Europe's football arena. It is why, Kelly says, he is askingthe district and fans from across the islands to attend the finalsand support the teams.
Not inclined to predict the game's outcome,both Kelly and Coach McLean say the team "will let the playingdo the talking."
Beyond the final, BTFC is also gearing upfor staging its football summer camp for eight to 15-year-olds,following on a successful staging two years ago.
In addition to FA Cup Final games duringYouth Football Week, a Cayman Select team will play a regionalAll Stars on 30 May; the Jamaica Under 20 team will face off againstregional All Stars on 1 June, and the Cayman Under 20 NationalTeam will do battle with its Jamaican counterpart on 3 June.