It’s often said in football that the semi-final games are better than the final itself because teams tend to be more evenly balanced and also play with a greater intensity. That could certainly be true for this weekend’s Digicel Cup semi-final second leg matches at the TE McField Annex.
They are on Sunday and both finely poised. The first match, kick off 5pm, is between Bodden Town and Roma United with Elbert McLean’s youngsters holding a 2-1 first leg lead against the side mainly comprised of Jamaicans.
Roma took an early lead in the first game but in blustery conditions played too square towards the end and conceded two late goals to the younger, fitter Bodden Town side that never lost faith in their ability to turn the match round.
The fact that Bodden Town beat Roma 3-1 in a league game at their home ground on Sunday augurs well for the youngsters but Roma’s league form is patchy and they produce their best form in cup competition.
Roma defender Naresh ‘Chin’ Hart limped off in the first leg against Bodden Town and will sit this one out. It was the turning point in the match but Hart still believes his side is good enough to overhaul Bodden Town’s lead and he anticipates being fit for the final later this month.
“We’re better conditioned than last time and have a few players back who were missing because of suspension,” Hart said. “During the transfer window we got a new crop of players who I expect to make a difference. We lost in the Digicel Cup final to George Town last year and want to get there again and this time win, then go for the FA Cup. Our league form is not good and we have to pull away from the relegation zone but I’m confident we can do that.”
Roma head coach Stephen Petgrave said: “We’re confident and hope to have better support from the Cayman and Jamaican community for this game.”
Coach Elbert said: “I’m a man of few words who likes to let his football do the talking.
“Each week we prepare specifically for the team we are about to face and I’m looking for another high performance from my side. We beat them on Sunday and I think a good attitude again will guarantee success.”
The 7pm game will be one for the connoisseurs, pitting Cayman’s best sides – Elite and Scholars International – against each other. Elite also have a 2-1 lead from the first leg. Scholars had plenty more chances in the first game but it was Elite who took theirs better. The fact that they are both from West Bay and Elite lead the Premier League table only on goal difference from their neighbours, adds to the intrigue.
Scholars International captain Mark Ebanks missed the first leg game because of suspension. The Cayman national striker is in deadly form and anticipates only one result from this match. “This should be an interesting game, it always is between the two sides,” he said. “We had a lot of chances which we wasted in the first game and we do have lapses in concentration which is why we’ve conceded soft goals. This time we will get the job done and will get in the final.”
Elite’s captain Abijah Rivers said: “It’s always a tough game between these two sides. We don’t expect an easy run against Scholars and certainly don’t intend to just defend our lead. Our mindset is to go for another win.
“The wind was a major factor in the first game in terms of quality and hopefully we’ll be able to give a better performance with more style and technique this time.”
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