Road Town F.C. are BVIFA Youth League champions

Photo by Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Photo by Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

By VINO

Road Town F.C rang the changes and ran out 5-0 victors over West End Tigers F.C. on Saturday May 28, 2016 on the field at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds and with the win lifted the BVI Football Association (BVIFA) Youth Championship.

Their total dominance especially in the second half was down to some tactical changes from Coach “Left” and clinical finishing from Amazon.com Man of the Match Sheldon Harry, who notched a hat trick.

“I think the changes worked,” commented the Coach. “We went from a 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 and the guys played much better than in the previous games. Our big defender, Liam Blok, kept things tight at the back, which gave us the chance to stop them and build our own attacks consistently.”

Harry netted in the 44th, 68th and 75th minutes after Novar Garden had scored the early opener for Road Town and Blok had doubled the lead in the 19th minute.

West End, playing far below their potential, saw a penalty chance saved, but whilst creating some opportunities never looked like denting the Road Town march to the championship.

Their title was confirmed when North Sound F.C. failed to get the result they needed against The Valley F.C in the day’s second game.

Knowing a win would see them take the title back to Virgin Gorda, North Sound started brightly, but had their hopes dented, when, in the 10th minute Kemron Tillack fired home for the Valley after a lightning fast counter attack.

Talisman striker, Jahdique Winchester, brought his team back into the game with a 25th minute leveler, but in the second half Kyreek Gardener netted a 70th minute winner for the Valley, to secure all 3 points.

“They played very well,” commented Coach Timron Robinson. “They passed the ball well, supported each other and of course scored the goals that matter. I’m very proud of the whole squad and there is much more to come from this team.”

With the League Championship decided attention turns to the Knock Out Cup, which takes place on Sunday June 5, 2016 on the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds.

At 1pm, Road Town F.C. take on the Valley F.C. followed by, at 2.30pm, West End Tigers playing against North Sound F.C.

BVIFA’s CONCACAF World Women’s Day hailed as a success!

By BVIFA

BVI Football Association celebrated CONCACAF World Women’s Day on May 21. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

BVI Football Association celebrated CONCACAF World Women’s Day on May 21. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

The Women’s Committee of the BVI Football Association pulled off a day of fun filled football action to celebrate CONCACAF World Women’s Day on Saturday, May 21 at the A.O. Shirley Ground.

Almost 50 girls of various ages and abilities turned out for the celebration, including a large group from Virgin Gorda. All were put through dribbling and shooting drills and were given the opportunity to win prizes with their new found skills.

3 v 3 and 5 v 5 games also took place with the older groups and the whole day was a great testament to the development and continued success of women’s football in the territory and around the region.

BVIFA President, Andy Bickerton was on hand to present the awards. “All 41 countries within CONCACAF had a women’s day and the BVIFA has always supported Women’s Football,” said Bickerton.  “We at the BVIFA are very pleased with the turn out at the A.O. Shirley Ground today with the 4 age groups: U7’s, U9’s, U15’s as well as Open and especially to see those 5 – 6 year olds out there enjoying themselves was wonderful.”

Bickerton also noted that the world governing body, FIFA  has just appointed a female General Secretary showing their commitment to increasing women’s involvement in the sport. CONCACAF elected a female representative to a FIFA Committee in Sonya Bien-Aime and in fact, since Bickerton became president, the BVIFA has placed the development of the women’s game high on the agenda.

Sharlene Pond, who heads up the new Women’s Committee at the BVIFA said, “we had similar numbers today, as last year, but we also saw a good many new faces who will be new players to the game. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and some wanted to carry on playing even after we had the awards ceremony!”

North Sound go top BVIFA Youth League

Photo by Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Photo by Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

By VINO

As the BVI Football Association (BVIFA) continued its Youth League on Saturday May 21, 2016 at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds, Road Town were held to a 1-1 draw with Valley F.C. and North Sound grabbed a 1-0 win over West End Tigers.

Road Town, one of the stronger of the teams on paper, controlled the early exchanges, but were unable to convert that dominance into goals and at half time it was 0-0.

Valley came out in the second half, with renewed energy and confidence, taking the game to Road Town and also taking the lead through Kemron Tillack in the 65th minute.

Road Town, had introduced Phillip Jules at half time and his probing runs, along with the moving up front of Sheldon Harry Junior, soon had Valley back peddling to hold onto their slender lead.

Chances went begging for Road Town, but the equaliser when it came in the 71st minute was spectacular.

Jules won a corner on the left and taking it himself, saw his curling cross come shot elude the despairing dive of Joshua Ramprashad in goal to nestle in the top right corner.

North Sound hand West End Tigers first loss

The second game of the day saw an inspired performance from North Sound as they overcame the previously unbeaten West End Tigers.

The predatory Jahdique Winchester slotted home the only goal of the game early in the second half and the boys and girls from VG then comfortably dealt with any threat of an equaliser to claim all 3 points.

“I’m very pleased and happy with the win,” commented Richie Morton, the North Sound Coach. “We took our time to build into the game as we were seeing how they would play. Once we reshaped to counter their tactics we took control and scored the important goal.”

Morton also noted that Winchester had a lot of skill and has a habit of going quiet, but popping up in the right place at the right time to score important goals.

The two Men of the Match awards, which is a gift certificate from Amazon.com, went to Mikel Morain of North Sound F.C. for a superb defensive performance and Michael Woodley from Valley F.C.

West End Tigers off to winning start in BVIFA Youth League

West End Tigers and Valley F.C. do battle in the BVIFA Youth League at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds on May 7, 2016. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

West End Tigers and Valley F.C. do battle in the BVIFA Youth League at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds on May 7, 2016. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

By VINO

The BVI Football Association (BVIFA) kicked off its brand new Youth Football League on Saturday May 7, 2016 with the West End Tigers beating Valley F.C. 2-1 at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds in Road Town, Tortola.

The Tigers, resplendent in an all yellow kit, opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Marcus Lake finished a jinking run with a well placed left foot curling effort which nestled just inside the far post.

Kemron Tillack equalised for the boys in green, but Austin Prentice secured all 3 points for his team, in the second half, smashing home from close range.

“Congratulations to the Boys on their first win,” commented Coach Javon Carty. “The senior players stepped up and performed very well. They are not used to playing on a full size pitch, but coped great. They stuck to the game plan, which we spoke about at practice and, yes, I’m very pleased so far.”

Nothing separating Road Town F.C. & North Sound F.C.

The second game of the League saw Road Town F.C. draw 2-2 with North Sound F.C.

Devante Samuel put the Virgin Gorda based outfit ahead in the 19th minute, before Timothy Louis leveled the match. Samuel, again, gave North Sound the advantage, but not to be outdone Road Town fought back and made it all square through a calm finish from Phillip Jules.

League Program Co-coordinator, Avondale Williams was very happy with what he saw. “I’m very pleased with what we have seen today. A lot of them suffered from playing on the full size pitch, but they will soon get used to that. Technically and tactically they all seemed to do pretty well and I think it is a great start.”

The BVIFA is very conscious of providing more competitive football at the 17 and below age groups and this league has certainly created that avenue for the boys to express themselves as well as build some fierce rivalries and friendships.

“We are still developing their skills, because they are still young, but we also have to get them used to playing competitive and being able to compete. It is a very good thing and I can only see it getting better and better,” concluded Williams.

On Saturday May 21, 2016, Road Town F.C. play Valley and West End take on North Sound F.C.

The league organisers also introduced a Man of the Match Award, in the form of a gift certificate from Amazon.com.

Winners in week one were Sheniece St Jean for the West End Tigers and Diego Jiminez of North Sound F.C.

Islanders to face Sugar Boys in Terry Evans Cup Final

By VINO

Thomas Albert saved a penalty for VG United but was powerless to stop the Islanders reaching the Terry Evans Cup Final. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Thomas Albert saved a penalty for VG United but was powerless to stop the Islanders reaching the Terry Evans Cup Final. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The Islanders will play Sugar Boys in the final of the Terry Evans Cup this Sunday, May 8 at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds after both teams won their semi-finals on May 1.

The Islanders saw off VG United, with four second half goals.

Kevin Fisher fired home a header to open the scoring in the 54th minute, Avondale Williams was on hand to smash home from the edge of the six yard box in the 68th, Francis Primo made it 3-0 in the 75th and Devon Leteen rounded out the goals in the 80th minute.

In the first half VG had held their own, but then had to switch Thomas Albert to goal keeper after getting a knock to his ankle and the team lost any offensive potency.

The second half sending off of Troy Williams was the catalyst to the Islanders finally making the break through.

Albert saved the resulting penalty from the sending off, but was powerless to stop the Islanders reaching the Final.

Sugar Boys of Virgin Gorda overcame old Madrid 3-0 in the second semi-final.

Derol Redhead opened the scoring for the Sugar Boys in the 16th minute and the game was in cruise control for the visiting team when Denron Daniel doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute.

Michael Castillo made it 3-0 in the 51st minute to ensure the Final would be a Tortola/VG affair to savour.

The Terry Evans Cup Final will be preceded by the Panthers women facing the Lady Ballstars at 5.00pm.

 

Terry Evans Cup Reaches Semi-Final Stages

Photo courtesy of BVIFA

Photo courtesy of BVIFA

By BVIFA

The Sugar Boys will play Old Madrid in the semi finals of the Terry Evans Cup, after both secured wins on Sunday in their respective quarter final ties against Haitian Stars and the Panthers F.C.

That game will be the second semi final to be played on Sunday 1st May, 2016, at 6.00pm, on the A.O. Shirley Ground and the winner will know their opponent after the Islanders face VG United in the first game of the day at 4.00pm

Old Madrid and the Panthers slugged it out over 90 minutes of ebbing and flowing football, with both sides creating chances to win the game, but ultimately running out of time and ending up facing a dreaded Penalty Shoot Out.

That Shoot Out went right through 18 spot kicks of various style and skill until the Panthers finally lost their nerve and fired kick number 19 high over the cross bar to concede defeat, 8-7.

The Sugar Boys used a goal from Michael Castillo right after the half time break to overcome the Haitian Stars, 2-1, to complete the semi final line up.

Derol Redhead’s 11th minute opener was cancelled out by Michael Bapticham’s 25th minute equalizer for the Stars who were making a return to competitive football after a two year absence.

In Women’s Football, The Panthers overcame the Avengers, 6-1 to secure a place in the May 8th Final against the Ballstars, with a hatrick from Sapphire Flax, a brace from Jacinta Weekes and a solo effort from Christine Jackson.

Makeda Fahie scored a consolation for the Avengers.

BVIFA Launch 2016 Digicel Centre of Excellence

Photo courtesy of BVIFA

Photo courtesy of BVIFA

By BVIFA

A rain swept Saturday did little to deter hundreds of boys and girls from coming out to the A.O. Shirley Ground on Saturday 23rd April, 2016, as the F.A. launched the Digicel Centre of Excellence.

“This Centre of Excellence is designed to give all the Youths selected a safe and happy environment in which to learn and is designed to provide you with a place to showcase your talents, whilst developing new skills” commented Avanell Morton, F.A. Executive Member responsible for Youth Development.

On behalf of Digicel, Katasha Melville, who was on hand to deliver the branded shirts for the players, stated “Digicel is always behind sports and it’s great to have all the boys and girls here to be given such an excellent opportunity to improve their skills”.

Angelique Kanhai, who was in the Territory visiting the new Stadium site encouraged the Youngsters to carry on working hard “I see you are all very dedicated to come out in this rain and weather, and I’m looking forward to seeing how you all perform if selected for the National Teams”.

F.A. President, Mr. Andy Bickerton concluded the brief ceremony with thanks to Digicel as well as explaining how the Centre of Excellence fits into the development process. “It’s great to have the support of Digicel for this programme, as everyone knows we have over 1000 young people participating in our after schools programme and this is another stage in our player pathway from Grassroots to National Representative teams. The Association is very committed to looking after our youths and create opportunities for you all.”

The Digicel Centre of Excellence will continue every Saturday for Boys and Girls both from Tortola and Virgin Gorda.

Hat-tricks for Creque & Albert as BVIFA opens new season

By VINO

Morgan Creque (purple 3) scored a hat trick for the Ballstars in a 6-0 win over VG United. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Morgan Creque (purple 3) scored a hat trick for the Ballstars in a 6-0 win over VG United. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Hat-tricks in both Ladies and Men’s games highlighted the opening weekend of the BVI Football Association (BVIFA) League Season, on Sunday, April 17, 2016 with Morgan Creque sending the Lady Ballstars to an emphatic 6-0 win over VG United Ladies, and Thomas Albert banging in four for VG United Men in the 5-1 victory over the Ballstars in the Terry Evans Cup.

Following a presentation of the players to BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton, a goal fest greeted the large crowd as domestic football made a return to the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds for the first time since 2014 when Sharlene Pond and Amanda Emmanuel opened the scoring against a new look and young VG team.

Creque scored her first before Pond added her second to make it 4-0 at half time. Creque netted twice more to round out her hat-trick and the goal scoring to make it 6-0 at the final whistle.

The men then took centre stage on the luscious grass surface of the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds with Albert notching a first half hat-trick for VG United after Swerine Joseph opened the scoring, to make it 4-0 at the break.

Mo’Blo Casey Ogbonna pulled one back for the Ballstars in the second half but Albert scored his fourth from the penalty spot moments later to make the final score 5-1.

The night’s last game saw the Islanders run out 3-1 winners in a tense game with plenty of incidents and enthusiastic tackling from both teams.

All square at 1-1 going into the second half, the Wolues were undone by an own goal from James Drury and a game clinching strike from Kern Mitchell.

In the first half, Mark Gardiner’s opener for the Wolues was cancelled out by Avondale Williams.

On Sunday, April 24 at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds, the Panthers Women face the Avengers at 3.30pm, whilst in the Terry Evans Cup, Old Madrid take on the Panthers Men at 5.15pm and the Sugar Boys face the Haitain Stars at 7.00pm.

Islanders to begin defense of Terry Evans Cup against Wolues

2014 Defending Champions the Islands. Photo: VINO/file

2014 Defending Champions the Islands. Photo: VINO/file

By VINO

The Terry Evans Cup 2016 will mark the beginning of a new season for the BVI Football Association (BVIFA) domestically when the competition makes a return on Sunday April 17, 2016 at the AO Shirley Ground after a year’s absence from the football calendar.

With the AO Shirley Grounds renovation work now complete and the venue open once again to the Association’s planned competitive, organised fixtures, the Competitions Committee has wasted no time in finalising plans for both the Terry Evans Cup and the the Wendoll Williams Cup, which for the first time will also include 11-aside women’s football.

Fixtures have also been planned for Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground as the BVIFA Executive continues its plans to ensure the game is taken to all parts of the territory and continues to grow not only in participation, but also popularity.

The Islanders are defending Champions from 2014 when they beat One Love 2-1 and they begin the defense of their title on opening day, April 17, 2016 at 7:00pm against Wolues on the A.O. Shirley Ground.

Other matches on the same day include the Ballstars Women against VG United Girls at 3:30pm and then the men’s teams from the same clubs will play at 5:15pm.

Action continues on Sunday April 24, 2016 over in Virgin Gorda with the Avengers Women playing the Panthers Women at 3:30pm. Old Madrid will then play the Panthers at 5:15pm and the night rounds out with Sugar Boys taking on Haitian Stars at 7:00pm.

The semi-finals are scheduled for May 1, 2016 and the Finals will take place on May 8, 2016.

The winner team will receive $1,000.00 and a trophy, whilst the Runner Up will receive $500.00 and a Trophy.

The Terry Evans Knockout Cup is named after the former BVIFA President and one of the forefathers of football in the [British] Virgin Islands.

 

BVI Fail To Overcome Dominica In The Caribbean Cup

Dominica's Julian Wade scored a hat trick. Photo courtesy of BVIFA

Dominica’s Julian Wade scored a hat trick. Photo courtesy of BVIFA

By BVIFA

The Caribbean Cup dream for the BVI is over as they failed to overcome a fast, free flowing Dominica at the A.O. Shirley Grounds on Saturday 26th March, 2016.

A sizeable crowd supporting both teams were treated to 15 minutes of BVI dominance in the first half, but being unable to make a breakthrough, compounded by the loss of influential midfielder Karl Espley to injury, soon turned into a first half nightmare as Dominica grabbed the game by the throat and scored 4 times, to go into the half time break with a comfortable lead.

In the 20th minute an in swinging corner bounced off the knee of Ryan Dicker to leave Ben Chapman helpless and handed the visitors the opening goal, Kelrick Walters was on hand in the 27th minute to no home the second after Chapman’s initial save saw the ball bounce back of the post. Chad Bertrand scored in the 33rd minute and then Julian Wade scored the first of what was to be a hat trick in the 44th minute.

The second half saw Kelrick Walters score the 5th and then Wade rounded out his hat trick with a delightful chip over the advancing Daniel Barker and a well taken penalty.

“The chip gave me the most satisfaction” noted Wade “It was such a good pass and I enjoyed making the lob”.

Wade also commented that his team had settled down nicely into the game and had grown in confidence.

Head Coach, Shane Marshall, was equally as happy with his team’s performance “it took us a little time to get into the game, but once we were able to play our game, we controlled the match and I’m pleased with the way the guys passed the ball around, created chances and also scored goals”.

BVI Captain, Troy Caesar said that the BVI came out with a game plan, but despite a bright start were unable to recover from conceding the early goal and was sorry that they didn’t live up to the crowds expectations of a more competitive game.

Coach Avondale Williams thought his side looked tired after only one days rest, following the Martinique game “I don’t know what went wrong, the guys played their hearts out, but just looked tired. Losing Espley upset the balance of the team and the substitutions didn’t really work out. Overall it was very frustrating, some decisions didn’t go in our favour, but that’s football”.