Academy SC win Boys FA Cups
The 2018 Boys U11 FA Cup champions Academy SC Stingrays
(CIFA): Academy SC’s burgeoning youth programme again paid dividends for the George Town-based club as their Boys Under 11 and Under 13 squads captured their respective FA Cup trophies Saturday, 16 June in the prestigious Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) competitions.
In the Boys Under 11 FA Cup final played at the Annex Field, Academy SC Stingrays outlasted Future SC 1-0 to claim the coveted title.
With newcomers 345 FC B claiming the Boys Under 11 league title a few weeks ago, this was a perfect opportunity for both clubs to finish the season on a high note.
From the kickoff, Academy went straight into “attack” mode, pinning Future SCs talismanic midfielder Calyb Fredricks and his teammates in their defensive third. Wave after wave of Academy attacks continued but David Seymour and Leon Turner, playing in the heart of Future’s defence, were strong to the challenge, not allowing very much to get past them.
Little by little, Future’s front runners, led by Nahshon Ebanks and Josiah LeBlanc, grew in confidence as they began to see more of the ball and were able to put together some promising attacks.
In the 13th minute, Academy went in front as their midfield leader Zach Brooks pounced on a loose ball in the box and knocked it past the grounded Kevin Ebanks in goal. The goal was the end result of some positive play from Joshua Elliott on the right wing, who evaded a few tackles before making the all-important cross into the Future SC penalty area.
Play flowed back and forth as Future SC could not find their “shooting boots” and when they did get a shot on goal, Academy’s Peyton Duvall and his fellow defenders were always in the way to block any goalbound shots.
Future’s goalkeeper Ebanks was superb in goal, making a number of excellent saves to keep his club in the game.
With time running out, Future SC threw everything in attack but it was not to be as Academy SC Stingrays held on to their one goal lead and ultimately hoisted the 2018 Boys Under 11 FA Cup trophy at the end of the game, much to the delight of their parents in attendance.
In the Boys Under 13 FA Cup final played at the CIFA Centre of Excellence, Academy SC Jaguars defeated a very young 345 FC outfit 2-0 thanks to a 20th minute strike from Jaydon Whittaker and a second from Ty Goddard in the 42nd minute.
In the Girls Under 18 FA Cup final, Elite SC defeated Sunset FC 1-0 thanks to a goal from Tammy Philips in the 22nd minute.
In the Boys Under 17 FA Cup semifinal, Cayman Athletic SC defeated Bodden Town FC 2-1 to secure a place in the final. Cayman Athletic’s Elder Ebanks opened the scoring in the 20th minute but Breshawn Watson’s strike in the 31st minute tied it up going into halftime. Athletic’s Cody Ebanks sealed the game in the 64th minute to make it 2-1.
The Girls Under 13 FA Cup final, to be contested by Academy SC and Sunset FC, is scheduled for today (19 June) at 4:30pm at the Annex Field.
In the Girls Under 15 FA Cup semifinals scheduled for Thursday, 21 June, Academy SC will play George Town SC at 4:15pm at the Annex Field, and Sunset FC will face 2018 Girls Under 15 league champions Elite SC at 4:30pm at the CIFA Centre of Excellence. The winners will meet on Saturday, 23 June at 6pm at the Ed Bush Field in West Bay for the final.
