The Digicel Cup final promises to be a humdinger mainly because both sides have a point to prove. Elite are the reigning Premier League champions who three years ago walked away with the title, grabbed the Digicel Cup and looked set to complete their trophy haul with the FA Cup too against Bodden Town.
But Bodden Town’s youngsters upset the script and beat Elite convincingly. Bodden Town intend to repeat that twist on Wednesday 22 February at the TE McField and although Elite are top of the league, this time they haven’t galloped ahead. Elite are equal on goal difference with Scholars International on 31 points with Bodden Town only three points behind.
Elite beat Scholars International 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate result in the Digicel Cup semis. Bodden Town cruised
There are seven more games to be played in the league after 14 matches played and these three teams all desperately want the league title and at least one cup too. League action resumes at the Ed Bush stadium in West Bay on Sunday with Roma United facing Elite at 5pm and George Town against Future at 7pm. At the TE McField Annex the 5pm game is an Under-13 exhibition between Academy Sporting Club and the visiting English professional team Swindon Town at 5pm. The late kick-off is Tigers against Bodden Town.
Because of the Swindon game, the Scholars International play Cayman Athletic at the TE McField Annex on Monday, kick-off 8pm.
Coach Elbert McLean, Technical Director of Bodden Town, said: “After we beat Roma 3-1 in the league the week before, we were confident in the Digicel Cup. Right now, I’m not looking at the Digicel Cup final. We still have two league games before that. We’ve got Tigers on Sunday and we’re focused on that. We want to end the season on a good note with at least one cup and as we have to play every other team again we are in the position where we could overtake the top two.
“We’re still contenders for the Premier League. It’s never been as tight as this.”
Greg Ebanks is Elite’s Technical Director. He said: “We’re inspired right now although we’re really hurting from injuries. Players like Gaza and Alex Belcher are not fully fit. We obviously haven’t got the medical and physio back up that pro clubs have to treat things like hamstring and groin strains.
“I’m pleased we got through considering we didn’t have our players 100 per cent and Scholars have good depth in their squad. We’re leading in the Prem and now it’s a matter of not losing points. We want to get past Roma this weekend and then hopefully get our players to full strength and recoup for the Digicel Cup final.
“The time we lost to Bodden Town in the FA Cup final I went on a two-week coaching course and complacency set in. Bodden Town’s preparation was much better. I don’t have any courses nor obstacles this time and I expect us to maintain our level.
“Both teams still have the nucleus of those sides from three years ago although we have lost three key players to colleges in the States, Jason Ebanks (his son), Benjamin Cupid and Donovan Godet.”
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