The Cayman Islands Football Association 2010-2011 Youth FA Cups culminated recently with the boys teams of Cayman Athletic Sports Club featuring in all age groups. But it was a player from the equally talented team of Academy, Sebastian Martinez, who really shone.
Cayman Athletic’s Under-13, U-15 and U-17 teams had exceptional seasons. These Ernie ‘Gillie’ Seymour coached sides were constantly in contention with Academy and Bodden Town always close behind.
Academy took the U-13 title by winning 1-0 against Athletic with a brilliant goal from Martinez after a hard fought game in the league decider. He scored in the 86th minute.
The U-15 game was just as competitive with both teams playing their hearts out to take hold of the title. However, it was Cayman Athletic who took the lead from an own goal in his effort to clear the ball from his area in the 10th minute. Ernie Jacques netted in the 38th minute for Athletic.
Academy came out more purposeful scoring a goal in the 54th minute. The rest of the game was like a ding dong battle as both teams tried desperately to score but Athletic remained ahead and won 2-1.
Bodden Town’s leading goal scorer Karl Solomon’s hat-trick made all the difference as they defeated Athletic 3-2 to retain the U-17 title. Matthew Suberan scored both Athletic goals in the first half and Athletic clawed their way back for victory in a tense and pulsating second half. It was one of the most entertaining games of the season.
Solomon are Suberan are both 17 and Martinez is only 12. They are three of the finest players in youth football here. All have the potential to get to pro level given the chance abroad.
Martinez is tiny but is exceptionally skilful, fast – and mostly important – strong mentally and physically. He gets hacked constantly by lesser players but has the temperament to take the knocks and bounce back as confidently as ever.
No wonder he scored 16 times for Academy to be their top scorer and was third top scorer in the league. Academy, under coach Virgil Seymour, won both the league and the cup.
Martinez scored twice for Academy in their 3-1 victory over Future in the West Bay Community Cup final at the Ed Bush Stadium last month. He opened the scoring with a header, quite an achievement for the smallest boy on the pitch!
Martinez attends Cayman Prep and High School, usually plays right midfield and hopes to get some exposure with clubs on a trip to England this summer. Through Academy’s coach Winston Chung and Jeffrey Webb, president of the football association, Martinez could be going to south London this summer for try outs with south London clubs including Millwall and possibly attend the academy run by Fitzroy Simpson, the former Jamaica international.
His dad Barry said: “Like any youngster, Sebastian has big dreams, but he is also doing extremely well in school and my wife Joanna and I try to keep him grounded and well balanced. Lots of praise should go to coach Virgil too for the way he’s brought Sebastian on.”
Sebastian was a sensation at last year’s USA Cup in Minnesota and when Barry sent a video clip of his best moments in that tournament to a few contacts in Europe, there was a positive response. Here is the link: http://mediasuite.multicastmedia.com/player.php?p=ym1436ft
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