For Immediate Release
May 31st , 2005

Western Union gets double
by CIFA

A goal in the 19 th minute by Sheldon Hoppins laid the groundwork for a Western Union two-nil victory over Scholars International in the Cayman Islands Football Association FA Cup final at the George Town Annexe Sunday.

Jason Campbell sent a cross from the right wing in the Scholars half to Hoppins who spooned the ball over the head of the advancing Scholars goalie David Parchment and into the net, and in the dying stages of the game Jermaine Wilson took a deflection off goalie Parchment to slam the ball into the net placing the game out of reach for the West Bay side.

The victory in front of over 300 football supporters marked a double for Coach Jocelyn Morgan whose Western Union players beat Scholars, just two weeks ago, in the CIFA Fosters senior men's league final to take home that trophy.

Outside of the goals, the game see-sawed between the teams with Western Union getting the better opportunities, making the first run on goal in the game within two minutes of the start. Western Union was also awarded the first corner kick of the game which almost resulted in a goal, but after a number of knocks around in the box a defensive player cleared the ball.

Scholars got the first free kick of the game but the Phillip Berry skied the ball. Under the guidance of Coach Antonio Smith Scholars got one of their best chances of scoring in the second half when Nickolai Hill had the ball five yards from the goal, but at that point-blank range headed it safely to the Western Union goal keeper, Devon Donnegan.   

With the senior men's double under his belt, Coach Morgan was naturally pleased. "It is a great victory after a season with so much tragedy," he said reflecting on the efforts of his club to pull themselves out of the disaster of Hurricane Ivan. "It gave a sense of achievement after all the hard work by the players and my able Assistant, Vincent 'Teddy' Mitchell."

CIFA President Jeffrey Webb noted that the post-hurricane adverse conditions affected the entire Cayman Islands football community. "Getting to this stage of playing off the final is a result of efforts by all involved in football from the officials, to the coaches, players and volunteers."  

"Western Union has truly had a tremendous season," Mr Webb added. "Under the sound guidance of football veteran Jocelyn Morgan the team has shown a new level of commitment and realized a dream that for many seasons seemed to slip through their fingers. I congratulate Coach Morgan, his coaching staff and the dedicated players of Western Union FC who, against all odds, put out a stellar effort to walk away 2005 FA Cup Champions."

Western Union players and supporters celebrate after winning the CIFA FA Cup on Sunday May 29 th at the T.E. McField "Annex" Football Field.