Sir John A. Cumber edge Island Primary in weekend thrillers

With the always exciting playoffs starting in two weeks, schools are jostling for positions knowing that a dropped point or two could determine final league standings in the 2024 CUC Primary Football League (PFL) and Girls’ Primary Football League (GPFL).

In CUC PFL Group A play this past Saturday, Sir John A. Cumber Primary and Island Primary thrilled the small crowd at the historic West Bay Town Hall Field with two very exciting and inspiring games. Sir John A. Cumber Primary’s ‘fireball’ Marley Connor was the ‘star of the show’ grabbing four goals in the two games.

In the Under 9 encounter, young Connor scored in the 8th and 15th minutes to put his school in what would seem a commanding position, but Island Primary’s Angelo Walton had other ideas as he pulled one back for his school in the 21st minute. Connor completed his hat trick in the 25th minute to take a 3-1 lead and seal the win. With seconds left on the clock, Island Primary’s Alexander La Roda Thomas scored to keep the score close and respectable at 3-2.

In the Under 11 contest, Connor along with his teammates Dion Brandon and Jason Smith Jr. were constant thorns in the side of their opponents - Brandon from the midfield and Connor and Smith up front. After a barrage of chances and a number of excellent saves by the busy Island Primary shot-stopper, Connor finally breached the unyielding Island Primary defence in the 12th minute. Smith Jr. finally got his goal by adding a second in the 46th minute to take a deserved 2-0 lead. In truth, Sir JAC’s goalkeeper was rarely tested throughout the contest but in the final minute, Island Primary’s Adam Babanas was first to pounce on a loose ball in the Sir JAC penalty area to power home a consolation goal for his school. Final score – 2-1 to Sir JAC.

In other Group A Under 9 games, St. Ignatius Catholic and Marie Martin Primary played to a 1-1 draw and Cayman International School (CIS) downed Joanna Clarke Primary 5-1 (respect rule enforced).

In Group A Under 11 play, St. Ignatius Catholic and Marie Martin battled to a 3-3 draw, CIS beat Joanna Clarke Primary 4-0 (respect rule enforced), and Cayman Prep 11B got past Theoline L. McCoy Primary 5-1.

In the only game played in the Under 9 division in Group B, undefeated Cayman Prep 9A beat Footsteps School 4-0 (respect rule enforced).

In Under 11 games in Group B, Cayman Prep 11A downed Footsteps School 5-1 (respect rule enforced), Red Bay Primary and Small Schools shared the points in a 2-2 draw and Cayman Brac defeated NorthEast Schools 2-1.

In Group A in the CUC GPFL, Joanna Clarke Primary edged CIS GA 2-0 and in Group B, the young ladies from NorthEast Schools got past Island Primary 2-0.

Week seven marks the final day of the regular season before the playoffs. Games scheduled for this Saturday, November 16th take place at the Ronald Forbes Field, Prospect Primary, Red Bay Primary, Island Primary, St. Ignatius, Camana Bay, and the West Bay Town Hall Field.

As coordinators of the CUC PFL/GPFL, the Cayman Youth Football Leagues (CYFL) organisation thank Progressive Distributors and Gatorade for their continuing support of the CUC PFL and GPFL.

Visit www.caymanyouthfootball.ky  for the full CUC PFL and GPFL schedules, scores and standings.