ARIMA, Trinidad (August 20, 2024)—Guyana ran out comfortable 4-0 winners over the Cayman Islands as the curtains came down on Tier II Group A play in the 20324 CFU Boys’ U-14 Boys Challenge Series at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Tuesday.

Guyana, with the more purposeful start, placed the Cayman Islands on their heels from the whistle. The early pressure paid dividends in the 4’ when the Guyana skipper, Jaden Eli Tasher, took a free-kick from far out. His effort bounced just short of King Caleb Eden in goal for the Cayman Islands. The goalkeeper misread the bounce, and the ball found the back of the net. 

The Cayman pressed on. In the 10’ Charles Morrison, with some intelligent play, collected a throw deep in the opponent’s half and flashed his effort across the goal. The Guyana goalkeeper, Kerwain Chance, was on the wrong foot but got his hand to it, deflecting it away for a corner kick. The ensuing corner kick was headed away, but fell invitingly for Calum Whiteside at the top of the penalty area. The midfielder sent his volley straight at Chance, who comfortably collected the effort.

Guyana doubled the lead fortuitously in the 19’ via an own goal by Ja’Dore McLaughlin. Guyana’s Nyron Barrow swung a left-footed corner kick into the near post, and McLaughlin saw his attempted headed clearance skim off the top of his head and away from the outstretched arms of his goalkeeper.

Undeterred, the Caymanians went on the attack again. Forward Ra’jon Boothe was off to the races, but the forward lost his footing as he attempted to shoot on goal. The Cayman Islands were awarded a free-kick shortly after when Whiteside was upended after skillfully evading two defenders. Cameron Murray’s free-kick from a splendid position failed to trouble Chance. Later, Jahari Reid’s 26’ run in the back post was undetected, but his effort failed to beat the goalkeeper. 

Murray came close to pulling a goal back, but his 30’ effort from a distance crashed off the crossbar, and Jahari Reid’s conversion on the rebound was ruled offside. Boothe got in behind the Guyana defense in the waning stages of the first half, but rushed his effort, shooting into the side netting. 

The Cayman Islands continued to put the Guyanese under pressure, and Morrison looked to combine with Boothe once again.  The forward looked to turn provider on this occasion, but Chance cut his cross into the box. That proved to be the last act of the first half.

On resumption, Guyana was again attacking. In the 37’, Kevin Bunton sent the ball rocketing towards the goal, but Eden pulled off a diving save. The Golden Jaguars asserted their dominance, forcing the Cayman Islands’ defense to withstand waves of pressure from Pharez Noble and Mark Glasgow. Glasgow looked to make the Cayman Islands' defense uncomfortable, as they found it difficult to handle his pace and directness.  

Guyana extended their lead in the 45’ courtesy of Jaden Christian. The substitute reacted first to a bouncing ball in the penalty area. The forward capitalized on the defensive error, slotting the ball to the left of Eden.

The one-way traffic continued, and Christian menaced the Caymanian defense, now showing signs of fatigue. Things got worse for them in the 62’ when Tasher conjured a superb free-kick. The Guyanese skipper’s brace was a screamer from 25 meters that hit the upright before going in.

The Cayman Islands had the chance to score a consolation goal in the 70’. Morrison was played through by Cooper Nelson, and the Cayman Islands captain got his shot off from just inside the penalty area. The initial attempt was saved by Chance into the path of Levi Jack, but the second-half substitute was wasteful in his finishing. 

Morrison had another chance in injury time, but a chipped effort went over the crossbar. There was still enough time for Jack to have another sight on the goal.  A blocked clearance fell to his feet, but Chance blocked the attempt to preserve his team’s clean sheet.  

The final whistle wasn’t long in coming, ensuring Guyana of their first victory of the competition and third position in the group. The Cayman Islands finished fifth.