Youth football at its best as quarter-finals completed

For those fortunate to be in attendance at the home of Cayman football - the Annex Field - this past Saturday, the spectacle that is primary school football was on show for all to see as the quarter-finals of the 2024 CUC Primary Football League (PFL) and the Girls’ Primary Football League (GPFL) took centre stage.

Kicking off the day’s proceedings were two GPFL Consolation Cup quarter-final games as Island Primary defeated Cayman International School (CIS) GA 5-1 and Red Bay Primary knocked off Marie Martin Primary 2-0 to advance to the semi-finals.

Island Primary and Red Bay Primary will join Joanna Clarke Primary and CIS GB in the semi-finals on Saturday, November 30.

CUC GPFL Champions Cup and CUC PFL Under 9 Consolation Cup play will begin at the semi-final stage.

In CUC PFL Under 9 Champions Cup play Island Primary 9A shocked undefeated Cayman Prep 9A 2-1, CIS beat Footsteps School 5-1, Sir John A. Cumber Primary got past Island Primary 9B 4-0 and defending 2023 league champions Prospect Primary defeated St. Ignatius Catholic 2-0.

In the CUC PFL Under 11 Consolation Cup, Island Primary, Red Bay Primary and NorthEast Schools join Marie Martin Primary in the semi-finals with respective wins. Island Primary saw off Small Schools 3-0, Red Bay Bay Primary squeezed by Theoline L. McCoy Primary 1-0 and NorthEast Schools got past Joanna Clarke Primary School in an exhilarating sudden death penalty shootout 5-4 after both schools were tied at 1-1 after regulation time, extra time (0-0) and regular penalties (2-2).

Marie Martin Primary’s Under 11s received a bye to the semis due to their 5th place position in the league following regular season play.

In the CUC PFL Under 11 Champions Cup, which has historically been the highlight of the playoffs, CIS, Prospect Primary, Sir John A. Cumber Primary and defending league champions Cayman Prep 11A all advance to the semi-finals.

CIS got past Cayman Brac 5-1, Prospect Primary defeated St. Ignatius Catholic 4-0 and defending league champions Cayman Prep 11A beat schoolmates Cayman Prep 11B 4-0 (respect rule enforced).

In what was surely the match of the day, Sir John A. Cumber Primary and Footsteps School battled ‘tooth and nail’ for the full 40 minutes and more tryimg to secure that final spot in the semi-finals. Sir John A. Cumber finally pulled off a 5-4 victory following sudden death penalties.

The game itself was a joy to watch. Footsteps School held a 1-0 advantage going into halftime after missing a golden opportunity to be 2-0 up but for a brilliant double-save from Sir John A. Cumber’s goalkeeper from a failed Footsteps School penalty.

For a majority of the second half, Sir John A. Cumber were in the ascendency as wave after wave of ‘red’ flowed forward only to be thwarted by the poised Footsteps School backline and goalkeeper. As football often does and with time running out, things turned in the blink of an eye as Sir John A. Cumber’s centre forward Jason Smith Jr. pivoted beautifully to send a screamer past the helpless Footsteps School shot stopper. Both schools could not find the back of the net in extra time (0-0) and both were perfect from the spot in the penalty shootout (3-3). Sir John A. Cumber Primary finally pulled off the win in the sudden death penalty shootout (1-0) securing their place in the semi-finals.

For fans of ‘the powerful game’, the semi-finals take place this coming Saturday, November 30 at the Annex Field starting at 8:30 a.m. with the finals and third-place scheduled for Saturday, December 7.

The CYFL thank Progressive Distributors and Gatorade for their ongoing support of the CUC PFL and GPFL. Thanks also to the many young volunteers who officiate the primary school football games throughout the year.

Visit www.caymanyouthfootball.ky  for the CUC PFL and GPFL playoff schedule and scores.