Elite stay top of men’s game

(CIFA): Scholars International have made their intentions clear this season, they want silverware. After acquiring some strong off season acquisitions the objective is to, WIN, win championships and win cups.  Sunday at the T.E. McField Sports Complex in George Town they faced another big test as they squared off against current league Champions and current league leaders Elite SC. Scholars surrendered the top position in the Cayman Premier League in Week 8 after playing out a goalless draw against Cayman Athletic. Elite took back pole position and Scholars knew that a win was the only result that would propel them back into top spot Sunday.

It was a top of the table clash that never really sparked into life. Both teams were cautious, neither team wanted to make any mistakes. Elite SC knowing that a draw would keep them top, therefore the onus was on Scholars to go out and win the game.

The light sprinkling of rain before kickoff gave the pitch some extra zip and certainly helped increase the tempo of passing asboth teams kept the ball on the ground and moved the ball well. The frantic opening pace didn’t let up as the game progressed; the game was very physical as both players were putting their bodies on the line. Elite SC had the best opportunity to open the scoring on the stroke of half time, after winning a free kick just outside the box Dwayne Wright caught the Scholars defense napping as he quickly took the free kick and slipped in his strike partner Alex Belcher who was one on one with Scholars keeper Alexis Reve who saved well to keep the score level at the half.    

The second half brought much of the same, both teams battled it out in the middle of the park but no team created any clear cut opportunities, a spray of bookings were handed out as the physical aspect of the game was cranked up.

It was a game of very few chances until the 85th minute when Scholars substitute Dominic Pearson had a golden opportunity to give his team all three points and put them top of the Cayman Premier League, after a brilliant through ball from Nahun Rodriguez that created a scramble in the box the ball fell to Pearson who was not more than four yards from goal, with the goal unattended he managed to strike the post. Scholars International could have and should have been sitting top of the league.

Instead of sitting top Scholars fell to third in the league after high flying Bodden Town FC picked up their fifth consecutive win over George Town SC to go second in the league ahead of Scholars. Bodden Town FC have the best goal difference in the league, as the league’s top scorers, BT have hit 33 goals in 10 games and sit second in the league with the same points total as Scholars but with a superior goal difference, BT are now just one point behind Elite SC who remain in top spot.   

Justin Pierre got George Town off to a good start after scoring his fifth for the season, Bodden Town came good in the second half as Yefry Calderon again came to the rescue, his goals have been vital for Bodden Town so far this season as they look to content for all three trophies this campaign. Calderon equalized in the 62nd minute and snatched the game winner in the 90th. George Town SC continues to slide and is now ten points of leaders Elite SC after picking up just 6 points out of 15 in the last 5 games.

At the other end of the Cayman Premier League, Tigers FC and Cayman Athletic both picked up big wins. Tigers beat bottom side Future SC 2:1, Miguel Simms and Manilo Conolly getting the goals for Tigers. Future SC is now 5 points adrift at the bottom of the league and remains winless this season.

Cayman Athletic picked up their first win in five games after comfortably beating Roma United 2:0 Matthew Suberan got on the score sheet in the 34th minute and David Bodden Jr. secured all three points in the 57th. Cayman Athletic are now tied with Roma on eight points. After starting of the season with two opening wins Roma have lost six and drawn two in their last eight games.

The Cayman Islands Premier League takes a break this weekend as the Digicel Cup takes centre stage. The first round draw took place last Wednesday and the full fixtures are listed below, for more information check out www.facebook.com/caymanfootball :

Digicel Cup, Sunday, December 11, 2011
5:00pm: Annex: Cayman Athletic vs. Roma United
5:00pm: Ed Bush: Tigers FC vs. Bodden Town FC
7:00pm: Annex: George Town SC vs. Elite SC
7:00pm: Ed Bush: Future SC vs. Scholars International

See league standings below