SPORTS

It has been quite a season for Bodden Town’s under 14 team. Not only did they defend their FC Cup title earlier, but on Saturday 27 May they also claimed the Queensgate Youth League title. The win created history, as Bodden Town became the first team from the Eastern District to win both the league and knockout cup in the same season.

Even though a number of other teams still had to complete their league commitments, none of them could catch Bodden Town, as long as the team claimed a win against their final opponents, Scholars. The team did their duty, and added nine goals to their team tally, taking them up to a massive 75 goals.

Although they did concede an uncharacteristic goal, it still brought the total number of goals scored against them to only four, by far the fewest of any team in the league, making keeper Michael Gourzong a much-envied man in the league.

This leaves the Bodden Town team with the best offence and defence in the league, as well as the two top scorers in the form of Arvid Harris and Charlo McLean.

Between the two of them, Harris on 30 goals and McLean on 27 goals fell just one goal shy of matching the total number of goals scored by George Town, who finished second in the league with a total of 58 goals.

Coach Elbert McLean said that the secret to the team’s success was not such a secret after all – it was a case of dedication, hard work, and commitment by the players, as well as the constant support of parents and well-wishers.

Coach Elbert also thanked the club president for believing in the team and having the drive to spur them on to bigger and better things.

The players credit their success to their coach and his dedication to their improvement.

This combination of dedication and hard work from the players and the coach helped to make Bodden Town the successful team it has become this season.

Another team who truly shone not only in the league but also in the FA Cup was Cayman Brac. The team finished with a flourish, scoring two wins against St Ignatius on the same weekend that Bodden Town claimed the title, thus moving Cayman Brac into third place in the league in their first season of participation.

The team also reached the final of the FA Cup, making this close to a dream season for Cayman Brac. With the experience they gained in the league and cup competitions this season, they are certain to come back as serious title contenders next season. Under the leadership of dynamic coach Mitchum Sanford, this is certainly a team to watch.

Second-placed George Town only just missed out on the league title, as they became the only team to score a win against Bodden Town. Like Bodden Town, they only conceded one win the entire season, but Bodden Town had a better head to head record, as well as a better goal difference, and managed to claim the title even though the two teams were level on points.

George Town may well return to their winning ways next season, with Coach Gillie Seymour shouting encouragement from the side of the field.

ST Ignatius claimed fourth in the league, after a ding-dong battle with Cayman Brac for third spot. The team boasts one of the best disciplinary records in the league, a title it shares with Cayman Brac and Future SC, who claimed fifth in the league.

Behind Future were Academy FC, Scholars International, and East End United FC.

The Queensgate Youth League definitely provided a worthy spectacle for those supporters and parents who attended the matches throughout the season, and it was heartening to see how many people turned out in support of their teams, especially towards the end of the season.

If this is any indication of the future of football in Cayman, the game is certainly set to blossom in the next couple of years.

eugene@caymannetnews.com