The Cayman Islands Football Association Premier League returns this weekend with the most attractive fixture being Elite Sports Club clashing with Scholars International.
Both West Bay clubs have been league champs and won domestic cups in recent seasons but have been overtaken by the brilliant Bodden Town youngsters in the past two years.
This match, the season’s second for both, will be an early test of how well their campaign is likely to go. It is at the Ed Bush stadium in West Bay on Sunday, kick off 7 p.m.
Scholars lost their opener two weeks ago to Cayman Athletic 2-1 but the side was missing key players for various reasons.
Scholars absenteeism was because of suspensions through yellow cards received at the end of the last campaign, registration documents not completed and injury.
Scholars will be at pretty much full strength against Elite and the return of inspirational captain Oneil Taylor is the most significant addition. Scholars Technical Director Dougie Rowe predicts the usual close game against Elite but gives his side the edge because of his belief in their blend of experienced seniors and youthful talent such as James “Paddy” Ebanks, Rohan William, Justin Rankine and Steve Tibbetts Jr. For Scholars, Carson Fagan and Tom Elliot are two of the most dependable players in the side, with vast international experience.
Elite have their stalwart captain Abijah Rivers in defense, deadly striker Mark Ebanks and midfield dynamos Rolly Bodden and brothers Jedd and Jason Ebanks.
Dwayne “Gaza” Wright is another prolific Elite striker but he sustained a shoulder injury from a heavy fall when they beat Sunset 1-0 last week and is out for the next few weeks. Mark Ebanks scored Elite’s goal against Sunset. He looked exceptionally sharp and is bristling for another professional tryout abroad.
Rowe said that pre-season preparation was not ideal, partly because the club now has so many teams at youth and senior levels, including female sides, that there is limited time for training.
Added to the fact that the facilities at Ed Bush are shared with Elite and Future Sports Club, it makes the juggling act of accommodating everyone tricky.
Nevertheless, he predicts an excellent campaign for Scholars. “This season looks likely to be very competitive, unlike last year when a lot of teams took plenty of points off the relegated clubs Academy and North Side,” Rowe said.
“Everybody seems to have drafted in some good youths making it even more competitive.
“We were a bit rusty in our first match but have been working on our weaknesses and will try to counteract Elite’s strong points.”
Roma play Cayman Brac on Saturday at the Bodden Town field, kick off 8 p.m.
The matches at the TE McField Annex on Sunday are Cayman Athletic versus George Town, kick off 5 p.m. and Bodden Town against Sunset at 7 p.m.
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