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Sports Last Updated: Apr 28, 2017 - 1:52:46 PM


Soccer youngsters have ‘a ball’ in Nassau
By Mark Hardy
Apr 26, 2017 - 11:57:27 AM

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Top: Mark Hardy, Frank Saldana; Middle: Ash Hardy, Manuel Ruiz, Andrew Lane, Adam Parris Whittaker, Logan Graham; and Front: Barratt Francolla, Frank Saldana, Gabriel Suarez, Ethan Dean, and Alain Austin

Freeport Rugby & Football Club’s Under 10s enjoyed the best that Saturdays could offer this last weekend as they, along with over a dozen supporters, travelled to Nassau for a series of soccer games.

Ultimately the youngsters played 5 games over the course of the day in Dynamo Football Club’s Spring Break Youth Soccer Tournament.

The 10 boys who travelled certainly made full value of their day as they met at 6.30 in the morning to fly over to the capital. After a quick breakfast at the airport they then travelled to the Bahamas Football Association Soccer Fields where they met 5 other Nassau teams for a day of intense action.

The boys got off to a winning start with a 1: 0 win over host team Dynamos thanks to a goal from Manuel Ruiz. Things appeared even rosier when another long-range effort from midfield tyro Alain Austin put them ahead against a much-fancied Baha Juniors in their second game. This appeared to ‘awaken the sleeping giant’ however as the Baha team then stepped up their game to put four goals past a rattled travelling team. All good experience though for the group of eager youngsters! A good life lesson that things do not always work out in your favor! Indeed, the goal count could have been higher if it were not for some vital saves from keeper Gabriel Suarez.

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The nerves and tough-times continued into the third game as a strong United FC team quickly surged into a 2-goal lead. It is to the immense credit of the Freeport youngsters however, that they composed themselves and after some juggling of team positions grabbed a goal back following a goal from Andrew Lane. Having been fouled in the penalty box, Andrew ‘dusted himself down’ and calmly slotted home the penalty to reduce the arrears. Despite pressing for an equalizer the young FRFC were unable to score again, however, and fell to a narrow defeat.

Again, to the immense pride of the coaches, the team took a positive approach into their fourth match where they overcame a combined Dynamos team by 3 goals to 1. A long-range goal from Adam Whittaker and smart finishes from Frank Saldana and Andrew Lane saw them enjoy a good and enjoyable victory against a gallant Dynamos team. Their final game saw a continued strong performance as goalkeeper Ash Hardy and defenders Barratt Francolla and Logan Graham ensured that the travelling team did not concede a goal and kept a ‘clean sheet’. Another long-range goal from Manuel Ruiz gave the youngsters a one goal to zero score line and ultimately their third win out of five games. Indeed, great hustling from their most junior player Ethan Dean almost saw a larger margin of victory!

The day’s enjoyment was capped by a guided tour of the new Beach World Cup Soccer Stadium by stadium designer Bruce LeFleur; an experience which will live long in the memory of all the boys! A runaround on the fabled sand pitch (and donuts at the airport) meant that this team of youngsters left Nassau tired and happy- finally arriving back around 7pm!

The team would like to thank organizer Carl Lynch, the Dynamos organisation, the BFA and all participating teams for making the event such an experience for all involved. As a result of these combined efforts, there is a new generation of (young) soccer players from both islands who now have an added hunger for the game and are aware of future competitors AND future Bahamas national teammates!


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