By VINO

Australia defeated France on penalties at the BVIFA Women’s Five-a-side World Cup final on June 21. Photo: Charlle E. Jackson / VINO

The British Virgin Islands Football Association’s (BVIFA) ‘Women’s Five-a-side World Cup’ concluded on Sunday June 21, 2015 at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School field with another action packed afternoon of exciting football in a cup final atmosphere.

The girls, split into four teams representing France, Australia, Germany and the USA, played in two groups with France and Australia topping their group to earn the right to clash in the day’s final.

The teams, handpicked by BVIFA Technical Director Katie Rowson based on what she had seen over the previous three weeks of competition, were all evenly matched and the games proved very competitive affairs.

“Out of six matches there were three draws,” commented Rowson. “It was pleasing to see how the selections gelled and the way in which the teams set up. The action was fast and furious with all the teams displaying good control and movement off the ball, but it was also encouraging to see the teams being disciplined in defense.”

Preliminary results
Australia and France tied 1-1, after Lilly Pierce’s early strike was cancelled out by Kaylah Skelton, who was subsequently named the tournament’s Most Improved Player.

Morgan Creque then scored the only goal of the game as Germany beat the USA, 1-0, followed by two draws between USA and Australia and France and Germany. In the last round of group play, Australia used goals by Yasmin Ruffell Smith and Brittany Peters to beat Germany 2-0 and Skelton popped up to net for France in the 1-0 victory over the USA.

Final goes down to the wire
France then met the ‘Aussies’ in the grand finale with the excitement building and culminating in a penalty shoot out, which saw some athletic goal-keeping and some well placed rocket shots by Pierce, Ruffell Smith, Sheniece St John and Peters as Australia came home victorious 4-1.

As in previous weeks, an MVP was awarded from each match with Zahriya Smith, Morgan Creque, Chandni Wattley, Kaylah Skelton and Brittany Peters all getting a CCT voucher for $25, presented in a CCT branded water bottle. Special recognition was also given to Alisha Ayres, Bella O’Reilly and Alice Looney. “These three newcomers really impressed me with their work rate, technical skills and, despite being the youngest, the way they got stuck in every week,” stated Rowson.

The top goal scorer each week received an “Always” basket sponsored by Road Town Wholesale. Skelton picked up the award this week to follow, Marie Lumley, Laresha Martin and St John.

To mark the end of the Tournament, team Australia were celebrated as winners with individual trophies as were France as runners up, sponsored by OBM and all the participants received BVIFA medals.

“ The programme attracted 37 players, 40 games were played, 81 goals were scored, with an MVP from each game celebrated with gifts from the various sponsors, including CCT, Yo Lounge, Hazem’s and Eclipse Hair Salon and Spa. Personally, it was fantastic to see so many girls enjoying the game and showing their competitiveness with such a positive and “fair play” attitude,” noted Rowson.

What’s next?
Next up for the Ladies is the build up for the nine-a-side tournament scheduled for September, which includes practice sessions on Sunday June 28 and July 5, 2015 from 2:00pm until 4:00pm.

“Now that I have seen most of the players performing competitively, I am very excited to work with them over the next two Sundays,” commented Rowson. “As well as training, we will take the opportunity to register players and teams for the upcoming 9 v 9 league, commencing Sunday 20th September. The plan is to work alongside the clubs and mentor the coaches to prepare for the league and further developing the women’s game.

“The league will provide an opportunity for the players show their tactical awareness, fitness and commitment over the 12-week competition and will allow me to select those players ready to represent the territory in the BVIFA’s planned 2016 international competitions.”

By VINO

Tournament favourites, Europe lost 3-1 to the Creoles. Photo: Supplied

Following wins on Sunday June 21, 2015, both the Creoles and the BVI progressed to the Nation’s Cup final scheduled for Sunday June 28 at the Greenland Playfield.

The first semi-final of the Gillette 9-a-side Nation’s Cup Football Tournament saw heavy favorites Europe demolished by the Creoles’ star striker Denron Daniel. The final score was 3–1.

Daniel’s pace and accuracy were too much for the Europeans to contain as he went on to score two goals and could have had a couple more if wasn’t for some fine saves by goal- keeper Andre ‘DJ Dre’ Gaymes.

Thomas Albert netted a third and Jacques Roul netted a consolation goal for Europe.
Denron Daniel was the Digicel Player of the Match.

BVI edge out St Vincent on penalties
In the second semi-final match, St Vincent failed to hold on to a one-nil lead that they held for 75% of the match. Nano Ottley scored the early goal for the Vincy Heat and missed a few other chances.

With coach Avondale Williams directing the attack from the sideline, the spirited BVI team kept working hard and managed to grind out the equaliser five minutes from full time. In the ensuing penalty shootout, the BVI converted their first three penalty shots while St Vincent only managed to score two, giving the BVI a 3–2 win.

Trevor Peters was the Digicel Player of the Match.

The BVI win means they will meet the Creoles in the final this Sunday, June 28, 2015 while St Vincent will meet Europe for the third place spot.

By VINO

Under 13 champions, Cedar Green. Photo: Charlie E Jackson/VINO

The BVIFA/BDO Primary School League closed out on Wednesday June 17, 2015 with all three age group finals ending in a penalty shoot-out drama.

Staged for the first time on the field shared by both Althea Scatliffe and Enid Scatliffe Primary Schools and in front of a huge crowd of children, family and football fans, this year’s championship games proved the most competitive yet, with crunching tackles, super shots, scintillating saves and nerve wracking conclusions for players and parents alike.

Robinson O’Neal & Bregado Flax battle to penalties
The U7’s of Robinson O’Neal and Bregado Flax were on the field first and both displayed disciplined defense with individual moments of skill, but neither side was able to beat the goal keepers. As the final whistle blew, the game remained deadlocked at nil-nil and the teams then faced penalty shoot outs.

Begrado Flax showed the greater resolve and ran out the winners.
Jaden Quashie won the Golden Boot with 22 goals throughout the season, while Kyle Alexander received the Golden Glove and Drekaily Findlay the MVP.
“Both teams had a game plan and before the penalties, they both did their job,” commented coach of the teams, Thomas Albert. “Once you get to a shoot-out situation, it can go either way on the day and I spoke to them about the possibility yesterday and told them just to try their best and not worry about who would win or lose as they are all worthy champions”

All Cedar clash!
In the U9’s, it was an all Cedar School clash as the “Greens” took on the “whites”.

Alex Fountain opened the scoring in the 9th minute; however, Azarni Callwood equalised just four minutes later and the “Greens” regained the lead in the 23rd minute, with a cool finish by Ryan Lettsome. The lead, however, lasted just six minutes as Gethin Jones struck to send the game into a penalty shoot out.

Cedar Green kept their cool and ran out 4-3 winners. Fountain just pipped Callwood to the Golden Boot while Jaden Abrams grabbed the Golden Gloves award and Ryan Lettsome the MVP.

“Congratulations to both teams, who played wonderfully throughout the season to reach the final,” commented John Riley, Cedar School’s Director of Football Development. “In my eyes it finished 2-2, with penalty kicks not really coming into it. Well done to the winners, it was an exceptional game with both teams trying to play football and listening to their coaches.”

Cedar hold nerves in penalty shoot-out with ‘Mighty Mighty’ Scatliffe
The Under-13 final between Althea Scatliffe and Cedar proved another cut and thrust affair with two evenly matched teams only separated, ultimately, by the penalty shoot out.

Full time ended 1-1, but Cedar survived the tension to lift the Championship with Lawton Green named MVP, Bradford Green the Golden Glove winner and Luca Reich winning the Golden Boot.

Mr Andy Bickerton, representing BDO, made the presentations and not even the rain could dampen the celebrations by all the teams and award winners.