Bodden shuts down Elite as Sunset roll George Town

(CNS): In the Cayman Islands Women’s league Scholars and Cayman Islands NationalTeam playmaker Jetena Bodden helped spearhead a standout defensive performance this Saturday as Scholars International became the first team this season to take points from Elite Sports Club. Bodden is normally used as an attacking threat for both club and country but this weekend against front runners Elite she was assigned a defensive roll against Elite’s Shanice Monteith. The two players know each other very well as they both play for the Cayman Islands under 20 National Team. Shanice is more accustomed to getting on the end of crosses supplied by Jetena than having her kick at her heels.

Nevertheless the game was played in good spirit and on the sound of the final whistle both players shook hands.

The game started off scrappy as Scholars doggedly broke down any patterns of attacking play that Elite tried to put together, neither side were committing great numbers in attack and neither side wanted to be the first team to make a mistake. Shanice Monteith manufactured a few half chances out of nothing but nothing clear cut.  Scholars were still riding high after picking up their first win of the season last week over Future SC and they certainly looked more poised as they played out their game plan effectively. Mid-way through the first half a heavy fall from Elite’s Coutisha Ebanks resulted in an injury delay.

After a long pause the game resumed and the rest of the first half was played out goalless.

The second half was much more of the same; Scholars held their defensive line well and kept their shape, club captain Martika Williams rallied her team and led the backline with Jetena Bodden and Shelia O’Connor. Elite finally managed to create some opportunities in front of goal, substitute Nikki Ebanks setting up Shanice Monteith for her and Elite’s best chance in the 76th minute. Scholar’s goal keeper Kristina Seymour was alert and saved well.

On the balance of play a draw was a fair result, Scholars are now unbeaten in two games and have picked up 4 points out a possible 6 against Future and Elite moving up into third position in the league.

In contrast to this fixture the early match up saw Sunset F.C. hammer George Town SC 6:0. Sunset is known for their possession football and they used the ball well against George Town to create plenty of opportunities in front of goal.

Gisela Gamba stabbed home the first for Sunset, a Mya Romilowych cross found its way through a crowd of legs and Gamba tapped home to put her side up 1:0 in the 10th minute. Twelve minutes later a mirror image of the first created the second for Sunset, this time Gamba spun in the box after receiving the cross and fired the ball top right to put Sunset 2:0 up.

The goal of game came in the 27th minute, Charlotte Horne’s 35-yard free-kick stunned George Town keeper Marline Willians who was helpless as the ball powered by her and nested in the top left corner of the goal. It was an unstoppable strike by Horne who now has three goals this season.

Early in the second half Gisela Gamba completed her hat-trick, Mya Romilowych again the provider as she crossed low for Gamba who was in the right place yet again to put her team 4:0 up. Sarah Pinches got in on the act in the 56th minute to make it 5:0 before substitute Diana Willington came on to score in the 76th minute.

Going into week 6 of league play Sunset now have an opportunity to go into the Christmas break top of the league.

Current league leaders Elite SC have a bye week so a win for Sunset over Future by two or more goals will see them go top of the pile heading into the festive break. Scholars will look to continue their good form as they take on bottom side George Town this coming Saturday. For up to date information visit www.facebook.com/caymanfootball 

Cayman Islands Women’s League: Week 6 Fixtures
Saturday, December 10, 2011: 5:00pm: Annex: Scholars International vs. George Town S.C
Saturday, December 10, 2011: 7:00pm: Annex: Sunset F.C. vs. Future S.C.

See league standings below