Marie Martin and Island Primary share the points

Marie Martin Primary (blue) in action against Island Primary in the CUC PFL.

With the majority of Grand Cayman schools on a well-deserved mid-term break this past Saturday, October 18, games in the CUC Primary Football League (PFL) were limited to a very few.

Due to an increased number of schools participating in Group A of the boys’ division this year, organisers had no choice but to schedule games on this first Saturday of the mid-term break.

Headlining Saturday’s action was a clash between Marie Martin Primary School and Island Primary at the Annex Field. In the Under 9 game, a rampant Island Primary team gave no ground to their hosts as they ran out 5-1 winners (respect rule). Although outplayed for much of the game, Marie Martin’s youngsters showed great resolve as they continue to battle until the final whistle.

In the Under 11 contest, a much more even encounter was expected with both schools perfectly capable of securing the victory and the all-important three points. Sitting atop Group A going into the weekend, Marie Martin Primary found themselves down a goal early in the second quarter as Island Primary’s Austin Morales was tripped in the penalty area as he navigated his way past a few Marie Martin Primary defenders.

Taking the penalty himself, Morales made no mistake as he buried his ‘free’ shot much to the cheers of the fairly large Island Primary support. Not to be outdone, Marie Martin Primary pulled themselves level in the 20th minute as Emmanuel Richards blasted his side back into the contest with a well-taken goal.

Now finding themselves on their heels, Island Primary conceded two minutes later as it was Richards who again found the back of the net to make the score 2-1 in favour of the home team.

The second half was an entertaining display of youth football as both schools ‘probed and prodded’ with Island Primary trying to find that elusive equaliser and likewise, Marie Martin Primary searching for a third goal to seal the win. It wasn’t to be for either school as the match ended 2-1 in favour of Marie Martin Primary.

In other scheduled games in the Under 11 division, Theoline L. McCoy Primary was awarded the win as CIS 11 White failed to show at Camana Bay and the Sir John A. Cumber versus Grace Christian Academy game was postponed.

There were no games scheduled for the CUC Girls’ Primary Football League (GPFL).

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 and Winners Circle for their support of the youth referees.

Games resume on Saturday, November 1 at venues across the Island following the mid-term break.

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