Navy crew beaten by Brackers

(CNS): Crew members from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Largs Bay, which was on a two-day visit to the Cayman Islands, were challenged to a friendly football match on Cayman Brac – the first organised sporting event the crew had participated in since the ship left the UK in November. The ten navy crewmembers, drawn from a total ships crew of 59, together with a couple of Brackers making up the full team were beaten 6-2 by the Cayman Brac Football Club (CBFC) squad. “It was great to get off the ship,” said Ships Warrant Officer John Kelly, captain of the navy football team, but with an age range of 26 to 61, he said the visitors had to work hard to keep up with the youngsters in the home team.

CBFC fielded a select squad from their Under-15, Under-17 and Men’s teams to contest the RFA Largs Bay team.

“The visit and friendly football match was the second for the Brac in 13 months,” said Brac Coach Mitchum Sanford, who along with coach Lawrence Nelson and a few other adult players played with the Largs Bay crew as they were a little short in players for the game. “These friendly recreational football matches are fantastic for development and social opportunities for our community to interact and enjoy a fun game filled with laughter and excitement for the whole family.”

Sanford went with four U-15 players, six U-17, and four adults for the game, the youngest player being Striker Jacob Scott at 13 years old, followed by Brac goalkeeping sensation Roshaun Frederick at 14 years old.

“It’s a recreational game and we have to treat it like one, where everyone comes together to enjoy a fun, casual game of football. It also served as a development tool for my youngsters with more of them getting the call-up rather than the men’s squad due to poor support,” Sanford said.

Neil Birleson and Kev Brown made the two goals scored by the navy team, while goalkeeper Ian “Bam Bam” Voller stopped several near-goals from the Brac players.

Brac coaches Sanford and Coach Sanford and Nelson joined the crew for a luncheon at Bucky’s Restaurant after the match.