All countries win on first day of 2018 Cayman Airways Youth Cup

The 2018 Cayman Airways Youth Cup kicked off Monday, 25 June, at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex with a full slate of four matches featuring excellent play on the pitch. Teams from Jamaica, the United States, and the Cayman Islands all had wins on the opening day of the tournament hosted by Academy Sports Club.

Match 1

Phoenix All Stars (JAM) 0

Central Brooklyn Soccer Club (USA) 1

Playing under the blazing sun, the youngsters from both sides sized each other up before Central Brooklyn pulled ahead in the 14^th minute courtesy a finish from Dinari Rogers. Central Brooklyn continued to press throughout the game, as did Phoenix All Stars in search of an equalizer but no further scoring would come. Central Brooklyn, who arrived from New York over the weekend, took the first win of the tournament.

Match 2

Future Sports Club Select (CAY) 0

Mt Pleasant Academy (JAM) 3

For the first 15 minutes, there was no differentiation between the sides, as Future Sports Club Select kept up with the visitors. Jalon Lopez put Mt Pleasant ahead in the 18^th minute and added another in the 41^st. Dahmani Miller scored the third for the Jamaicans in the 60^th minute. Lopez missed out on a hat-trick when he struck the post on a penalty kick in the 63^rd before being called to the bench for a rest. Future Sports Club Select bolstered its roster for the tournament with the inclusion of players from George Town Sports Club.

Match 3

City Soccer Pro (USA) 1

Academy Sports Club Select (CAY) 5

Mikael Crooks and Jerry Allen both scored twice, as Academy Sports Club Select picked up an important first win in the six-day tournament. Crooks put the local side out front in the 9^th minute and with their New York opponents pumped for action they held the score as it was to the half. Anthony Catlanotto put Academy SC Select ahead in the 41^st minute before Allen joined in four minutes later. Crooks then secured his brace in the 55^th minute and Allen did the same in the 61^st. Zahari Jeffery found the back of the net to the visitors two minutes from full-time.

Match 4

Academy Sports Club Elite (CAY) 2

Harbour View Football Club (JAM) 4

The nightcap saw top sides from Caribbean neighbours Cayman Islands and Jamaica share the field for an entertaining encounter. Harbour View’s Trevor Hamilton scored the only first half goal in the 17^th minute. The hosts equalised in the 46^th minute when a superb free kick by Immanuel Duran left the goal vulnerable for a chance that Malcolm Hill made the most of. Harbour View was quick to reply, reclaiming the lead a minute later thanks to Jahiem Nelson, who extended the lead in the 51^st. Hamilton gave the visitors a three-goal lead in the 67^th minute. Spurred on by the home crowd, Academy Sports Club Select fought to stay in the game and were rewarded in the 70^th minute when Kai Hulse found the back of the net, but there was not enough time to mount a comeback.

The 2018 Cayman Airways Youth Cup continues Tuesday, 26 June, with three games at Truman Bodden Sports Complex.

4:45 p.m. Academy Sports Club Elite (CAY) vs Central Brooklyn Soccer Club (USA)

6:30 p.m. City Soccer Pro (USA) vs Cavalier Soccer Club (JAM)

8:15 p.m. Mt Pleasant Academy (JAM) vs Academy Sports Club Select (CAY)

The tournament runs until 30 June and admission is FREE. Get more details at caymanyouthcup.ky.