Islanders FC claim 8th BVIFA National League Title

December 10, 2020 by
Islanders FC claim 8th BVIFA National League title after defeating Old Madrid FC 3-1 on Dec, 6 2020. Photo: BVIFA

The Islanders FC claimed their eighth National League title with a 3-1 win against Old Madrid FC on Sunday 6th December, 2020 at the BVI Football Association’s new stadium venue in East End / Long Look.

According to player / coach of the Islanders, Andy Davis, his team went into the game fully prepared and understanding what a win would mean. “We were able to create chances and capitalize on them despite making a few mistakes,” he commented. “We did not take Old Madrid lightly as we knew they can cause upsets, but the guys stuck to their task, took the game to Old Madrid and scored the goals for a well fought victory.

Going a goal down did not help the nerves much, but captain Ranalie Cains cancelled out Fitzroy Daley’s 15th minute opener in the 26th minute with both goals coming from the penalty spot. “This game was a crucial one and we had to come out victorious,” said Cains.

Sheldon Harry then put the Islanders ahead in the 35th minute, but it was not until the 72nd minute when Rohan Lennon made it 3-1 that the Islanders settled the title race. “I knew we would win the championship, although it was a very tight race because we have a group of young and experienced talented players combined together to form a good team.” noted Cains.

“It’s a good feeling winning the league after missing out the previous year,” confirmed Davis. “The title gives the younger players in the team the chance to be part of a winning culture that makes them fight even harder during every game. The tournament has been incredibly competitive with a number of teams showing great potential and developing young players and we now set our sights on next season where we can step up our game and hoping other teams follow suit.”

BVIFA president, Mr. Andy Bickerton was quick to applaud title winners. “Congratulations go to the Islanders on securing another National League Championship. They played exciting, attacking football and deserved their success. They can now look forward to their opportunity to compete in the Caribbean Club Championship in 2021,” he said.

Wolues captain, Philip Nelson was also quick to congratulate the Islanders on holding off his team’s challenge for the Championship. “It was disappointing to come so close, but it wasn’t to be. The Islanders were the more consistent team throughout the year, and we congratulate them as worthy winners. We are already looking forward to battling again next season.” he warned.

Nelson’s comments came immediately after seeing his team romp to a 5-0 rout of One Love FC. “A great performance from start to finish and we were happy to secure second. We managed to take the lead in the first minute and never looked back with all the lads being fully committed to finishing the season the right way. One Love battled well throughout, but the quality of chances created was the ultimate difference,” said Nelson.

The Wolues’ goals came from Nelson, who scored from the penalty spot in the 4th minute, Ian Chambers, who scored twice in 29th and 52nd minutes, Noel Maxwell in the 32nd and Chester James in the 82nd.

In other results, the Sugar Boys FC thumped the Rebels FC 4-0 on goals from Jorge Gonzalez (24th), Terence Nanton (42nd) and Derrol Redhead (83rd and 89th), and Lion Heart FC drew 3-3 with the Panthers FC with Necarious Watt (28th), Dwayne Smith (34th) and Sheldon Brown (79th) all on target for Lion Heart, whilst Nigel Sanderson (45th and 75th) and Vanrick Depesche (50th) replied for the Panthers.

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Wolues, VG Utd take lead in U17 National Youth League. Draw for Panthers and VG Utd in Women’s Futsal

December 7, 2020 by
  • VG Utd v One Love U17
  • Walues V One Caribbean U17

The BVI Football Association launched its U17 National Youth League over the weekend with two cracking games of football as the Wolues FC beat One Caribbean FC and VG Utd overcame One Love FC.

In unparalleled sporting development the BVIFA has now supported its member clubs in setting up officially registered women’s and youth teams to supplement men’s teams and, going by the youngsters on view in both games, it will certainly lead to great success in the future of the game.

The Wolues v One Caribbean game had the feel of a local derby as many of the players from both teams had come through the Manatees Youth Programme, but any friendships were soon put aside as, right from the kickoff, the Wolues especially, adopted a high pressing game.

Denying their opponents time and space certainly paid dividends as the Wolues enjoyed lots of early possession and were able to bring out fine saves from Nici Haycraft. However, in the 17th minute, as One Caribbean defended stoically, they conceded a free kick just outside the area which Luca Reich chipped high into the box where Sam Potgeiter reacted first to a loose ball to fire home.

One Caribbean responded well to going a goal down and Adrian Brown in articular saw a couple of good chances saved by Ollie Henderson, but in 24th minute Michael Pallandino, latching onto a through ball from Reich made it 2-0, slotting home after his initial shot had been saved by Haycraft.

Hendersen was again called into action as One Caribbean went on the front foot looking for a way back into the game, making a great save from a Dylan Cline effort, but unable to stop Adams who made it 2-1 just before the break, bursting through the Wolues’ line to score.

The second half got underway with the Wolues stringing together a series of passes and flowing moves, but it was another Reich free kick in the 41st minute that put the match firmly in the favour of the Wolues as his tantalizing delivery into the box was allowed to bounce all the way into the back of the net as Pallandino’s run seemingly distracted Haycraft and his defense.

Reich also scored the 4th Wolues’ goal in the 48th minute, cutting out a pass and making no mistake with a well-directed shot.

To their credit, One Caribbean kept playing football and put some real pressure on the Wolues’ goal and eventually scored a deserved consolation goal in the dying moments as Adams scored from a free kick to make it 4-2.

VG Utd beat One Love FC

VG Utd U17s had a comfortable 4-0 win over One Love in the BVIFA National Youth League

The second game of the weekend saw VG Utd to a comfortable 4-0 win over One Love as T’Koi Richardson scored a hat trick (28th, 32nd and 37th minutes) and Lewis Munn rounded out the scoring in the 51st minute.

“We started a little flat footed and took time to settle into the game,” commented VG Coach, Jermain Abrams. “Once Richardson scored that opener, we seemed to settle down and were able to play our game in the second half, stringing passes together, executing what we practiced and dominating passages of play.”

The Panthers WFC and VG Utd share the points

VG Utd’s Kezia Gumbs scores a late equalizer against Panthers FC in the Women’s Futsal

Meanwhile in Women’s Futsal action, VG Utd and the Panthers FC battled to a 3-3 draw as Kezia Gumbs scored a late late equalizer for VG.

“It was a physical game. We didn’t think the Panthers would be so tough to break down and had to really step up our game,” noted VG coach Thomas Albert. “There has been definite progress made and the girls are really enjoying playing again.”

The Panthers went ahead through an own goal before Kayla Bolus equalized for VG in the 13th minute only for Morgan Creque to put the Panthers 2-1 up in the 14th. Gumbs levelled the game just before half time and in the second half Creque scored from the penalty spot (31st) to see the Panthers lead 3-2, before Gumbs’ late intervention.

“We played a much more aggressive game,” commented Panthers coach, Jacintha Weekes. “We passed the ball around more and took more shots on goal.”

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Islanders FC in the lead in BVIFA National League

December 1, 2020 by
Islanders FC v Wolues battle it out in BVIFA National League on Nov 29, 2020

The Islanders FC and Wolues FC proved inseparable on Sunday 29th November as the top two sides in the BVI Football Association’s National League drew 1-1 at the East End / Long Look venue on Tortola.

The shared points favored the Islanders as they now have a five point lead in the race for the Championship with just two games to go and if they avoid defeat this coming weekend when they play Old Madrid FC  and the Wolues fail to beat One Love FC, then the title will be theirs.

Kevin Fisher-Daniel fired his team into the lead in the 32nd minute of a tense game and it took the Wolues until the 67th minute to equalize through Robert Green.

Earlier in another action-packed weekend, One Caribbean FC secured a 3-2 victory over One Love FC, with all the goals coming during a frantic 35-minute period in the first half.

Rickson Augustin opened the scoring for One Caribbean in the 5th minute before Santos Caines made it 1-1 in the 8th minute. Kelvin Glasgow restored the lead in the 22nd minute and Richard Morgan made it 2-2 on the half hour mark only for Glasgow to score his second and what turned out to be the winner in the 40th minute.

The Panthers FC nabbed all 3 points from Old Madrid with a brace from Nigel Sanderson, including a 75th minute penalty sealing a 2-1 win after Nano Ottley had levelled the game at 1-1 in the first half and VG Utd and Lion Heart FC battled to a 1-1 draw after Jevonne Demming opened the scoring just before half time and Shevaugn Thomas equalized for Lion Heart in the 76th minute.

VG Utd v Lion Heart battled to a 1-1 draw in BVIFA National Leagues

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Wolues WFC defeat Avengers WFC in BVIFA Women’s Futsal League game

December 1, 2020 by
Wolues (in blue) defeat the Avengers 10-2 in BVIFA Women’s Futsal League game on November 29. Photos: BVIFA

Despite a strong early defensive performance the shorthanded Avengers WFC were first overwhelmed and then steam rollered by the marauding Wolues WFC, falling to a 10-2 defeat in Saturday’s BVI Football Association Women’s Futsal League encounter at Cedar School to a team that are quickly becoming irresistible to watch and seemingly impossible to beat.

The Avengers’ strategy – having traveled with a bare minimum of five players – of defending en mass and looking to hit the Wolues on the break, saw them keep their opponents frustrated for the first 17 minutes, but then, as the Wolues began to move the ball around the pitch, stretching the tiring Avengers, Darci Reich glided past a defender or two and fired home the opener.

“The Wolues’ women showed off their patience and ball mastery during that first spell,” noted Nick Mesum. “By stretching the pitch you could see the Avengers’ women begin to tire and it was only going to be a matter time.”

The goal seemed to deflate the Avengers and it was followed up with two additional strikes by Reich who would complete her second hat trick of the season before half time, whilst Brittany Peters fired in a long range corker to give the Avengers a glimmer of hope.

However, after ringing the changes coach Peter Van Zoost was rewarded by seeing his team score a decisive fourth as Tinia Van Zoost – switching her goalkeeper gloves for a pair of striker’s boots – made no mistake from a corner. Ariel Mohammed made it 5-1 a minute later, Zolita Bamford made it 7-1 with a quick fire brace and Tola Broderick added two more in the 43rd and 47th minutes before Reich returned to the fray and turned provider for Edith Ferrer who made it double digits in the 49th.

Peters netted a late consolation from the penalty spot, but the day and the points truly belonged to the girls in sky blue

“The hunger shown by the girls was great to see,” commented coach Walter Reich who added that a few of the girls would have loved to have seen more minutes in the game but also highlighted his “unsung” players as well as giving accolade to the contributions if both Ariel Mohamed at the holding midfield position and Tinia Van Zoost as goalkeeper/sweeper during the first half.

“There are players on every great team who may not get the accolades that goal scorers get but their roles in these extremely critical positions are key to the team’s success,” said coach Reich. “their composure and ability to distribute the ball stretches the opponents and is so important to creating the space necessary for the wingers and striker to do their thing. Teams that win generally have players who are willing to work in the engine room and sometimes out of the limelight.” he concluded.

The Panthers WFC will play VG United at Cedar School with a 4.30pm kick off on Saturday, December 5.

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BVIFA Academy Youth League launched and underway

December 1, 2020 by
  • The Panthers won their match against VG United in game 1 of the Academy Youth League
  • The Sugar Boys won their 1st match of the BVIFA Academy Youth League played against the Wolues

The BVI Football Association launched its Academy Youth league on Sunday, November 29, which will provide the Clubs that are now running teams at U13 and U17 a competitive platform to showcase their talents.

Several of the BVIFA’s member clubs are now running Youth Academies including – at U13 level – the Wolues FC, One Caribbean FC, Old Madrid FC, the Sugar Boys FC and VG Utd – and at U17 – One Love FC, VG Utd, One Caribbean FC, the Rebels FC and the Wolues FC.

On opening day, BVIFA Technical Director, Mr. Dan Neville commented that thanks should go to the coaching staff for making such an important part of the BVIFA’s vision come to fruition. “The Academy Youth League is vitally important to our overall football vision as the competitive element that will help in terms of building mass participation, producing players for our national teams and giving them something to train towards,” he said.

Also on hand for the opening round of fixtures was BVIFA President Mr. Andy Bickerton who, whilst urging the players to enjoy themselves, also reinforced the opportunities that are now available to those willing to put in hard work both academically and on the pitch. “These Youth Leagues are part of our four year strategy and what you need to know is that four youngsters are currently away on scholarships, so there is an opportunity for you if you want to progress in football. However, and most importantly, if you want to go away and combine football with your studies, then you need to be strong in your academics here as well as your football. Don’t leave your studies behind to pursue football, but combine both,” he said.

Mr. Bickerton also pointed out that the league will be going for a while, so he urged the young players to make it fun, not to forget that it’s not all about winning, work together as a team, support and encourage each other, and, most of all, to enjoy themselves.

Speaking on behalf of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr. Eustace Freeman took the opportunity to commend the BVIFA, Neville and the coaches on their efforts, saying “The Youth League is a product of the BVIFA’s dedication to presenting quality developmental opportunities for the youth of the BVI. I would like to wish the organizers, teams, players and everyone involved in making it possible a safe and successful league.”

The first round of games played both on Virgin Gorda and at the BVIFA National Stadium venue in East End / Long Look featured the U13s and saw the Sugar Boys beat VG United 5-1 on goals from Audany Gangoo, Ethan Winchester, Kenroy William, Kyle Farrington and Shau’Mari Leonnard, with Qu’yl Billingy scoring VG’s consolation. Meanwhile the Panthers FC beat the Wolues FC 9-2 with goals from Christian Vanterpool, Lashawn Gibbs (2), Jaheem Bijai (3), Latrell Williams (2) and Myles Penn, whilst Charlie Potgeiter and Oakley Hodges netted for the Wolues.

Upcoming matches include the U17 teams of One Love United v VG United on Friday, December 4 and Old Madrid against One Caribbean Saturday, December 5. The U13 Panthers FC face VG Utd and the Wolues U13’s take on One Caribbean FC on Sunday, December 6.

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Old Madrid and Lion Heart win matches to progress up the BVIFA National League ladder

November 25, 2020 by

Old Madrid FC dented the Championship hopes of the Wolues FC and Lion Heart FC got the better of the Rebels FC in a five goal thriller as the BVI Fooball Association National League continued over the weekend, with games at the National Stadium venue in East End / Long Look and the Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground.

First up in an action packed schedule was the Wolues v Old Madrid clash which was the last game in hand for the Wolues as they looked to chase down the table topping Islanders, who were once again idle, and it looked like business as usual with Ian Chambers firing his team into a 29th minute lead.

However, as Old Madrid’s Kenrick Grant noted, “we always seem to give them a lot of problems and I can only recall them beating us once or twice over the years. They were all over us to begin with and took a deserved lead,” continued Grant. “We got our act together in the second half and began to string together some passes through midfield, got the ball out wide and caused them problems with crosses.”

Old Madrid equalized in the 54th minute through a long range effort from an ex Islander, Nano Ottley and the winner came in the 64th when Fitzroy Daley, another former Islander, ran through the Wolues defense and slotted home, making the final score 2-1.

“It was a competitive match played in good spirits,” concluded Grant. “We were solid in defense and worked very hard to come away with all three points. We pride ourselves on beating the Wolues on many occasions and they will just have to come back another time!”

On Sunday, Lion Heart FC came from a goal down twice to beat the Rebels FC 3-2, with the winner coming from the boot of Akeem Salmon in the 69th minute. Denvin Jones had put the Rebels 1-0 up in the 19th minute before Rohan Sweeney equalized in the 24th. Early in the second half (47th), Velish Rohan restored the Rebels’ advantage, but Janel Ferdinand leveled things up just a minute later.

“It was a great game and both teams played well,” commented Lenon Audain of the Rebels. “But in the end the better team on the day won.”

Playing in front of their home crowd, the Sugar Boys FC came from a goal down to beat One Caribbean FC 4-1, as Leonardo Davis cancelled out Romano Peters’ 8th minute opener right on the stroke of half time. From then on it was all Sugar Boys with further goals coming from Davis (66th) and Jorge Gonzalez (74th, 80th).

VG Utd also had a comfortable win at “home”, beating One Love FC 2-0 with Devante Samuels (15th) and Marknique Williams (26th) making sure of the victory in the first half.

Next Saturday, November 28, at 4pm, One Love FC face One Caribbean at the National Stadium and on Sunday, November 29, the Islanders FC clash with the Wolues FC also at the National Stadium at 4pm, knowing a win will guarantee them the title.

The games over on the Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground on Sunday, November 29 include Old Madrid FC playing the Panthers FC at 5.45pm followed by Lion Heart FC against VG Utd at 8pm.

BVIFA National League Standings, November 22, 2020
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Wins for Wolues FC, Sugar Boys FC and One Love FC in BVIFA National League

November 17, 2020 by
Johnathon Gonzalez after scoring VG United’s late equalizer against the Rebels FC. Photo: BVIFA

As the BVI Football Association’s National League continued over the weekend, the Wolues FC smashed eight goals past One Caribbean, VG United left it late to salvage a point against the Rebels FC and there were also wins for the Sugar Boys FC and One Love FC.

The Wolues FC were three goals to the good against One Caribbean FC at the National Stadium venue, East End / Long Look, inside the first seven minutes following a brace from Ian Chambers and the first of what turned out to be a Noel Maxwell hattrick.

Johnny Bissainthe gave One Caribbean a glimmer of hope in the 17th minute and at half time the score remained 3-1.

Luca Reich then scored in the 62nd and 72nd minutes to put the game and the points beyond doubt , and, although Erol Van Der Meulen scored a second for One Caribbean from the penalty spot in the 75th to make it 5-2, Maxwell notched his second and third goals in the 88th and 89th minutes respectively before Christopher Farmer made it 8-2 in added time at the end.

Meanwhile, the most dramatic game of the weekend unfolded over at the Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground, where VG United found themselves two goals down against the Rebels after Curtly Peters converted a 15th minute penalty kick and Austin Prentice doubled the lead in the 34th. However Marknique Williams pulled one back in the 39th minute and then after a dogged and determined display VG finally equalized in front of a large partisan crowd when Johnathon Gonzalez slid the ball home in the 6th minute of added time to earn a point.

The Sugar Boys FC also didn’t disappoint their home fans as they had no problem in overcoming Lion Heart FC 2-0 although it took an own goal in the 29th minute to set them on their way, before Rolland Roberts made sure of the win, scoring the second goal in the 72nd minute.

One Love United FC also had a comfortable win, beating the Panthers FC 4-1 with four first-half goals from Rushedo Robinson, Richard Morgan, Mauricio Guevara Villanueva and Carl Stewart almost settling the match before it began and Vanrick Depesche scoring the Panthers’ only goal half way through the second half.

Old Madrid FC play the Wolues FC at the East End / Long Look National Stadium on Saturday, November 21 with a 4.0pm kick off, whilst on Sunday November 22, the Rebels FC face Lion Heart FC, also at East End / Long Look at 4.00pm. Over on Virgin Gorda on the same Sunday, the Sugar Boys FC take on One Caribbean FC at 5.45pm and then One Love United FC clash with Virgin Gorda United FC AT 8.00pm.

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VG United takes win against Avengers in BVIFA’s Futsal League

November 16, 2020 by

Anna French kept her calm and coolly slotted home low into the corner from the penalty spot to net the winner for VG United WFC in a 2-1 win against the Avengers WFC, on Saturday, November 14.

The match, the latest in the BVI Football Association’s Women’s Futsal League, had everything the crowd could have wished for from a local derby between the two teams based in Virgin Gorda, including a neutral venue – Cedar School.

VG Utd were able to stem the free scoring Avengers, executing the plans put in place by their coach, Thomas Albert, to perfection. “I know how those Avengers like to play,” he said. “I know who their key players are and how to shut them down. So, I just urged my team to be patient and defend together until our time to attack came.”

It seemed that the Avengers had found a way around their opponents’ tactical discipline when Keithrece Smith opened the scoring in the 20th minute, but after half time VG were almost unstoppable with Kezia Gumbs, Jakisha Rigobert and French running rampant.

According to Avengers’ coach, Jeffrey Demming, it was a bad day at the office. “We took it lightly but those girls really came at us. In the second half they were all over us and have stepped up their games a lot. They came with a plan and it worked, but we will learn from this and come again.”

Gumbs levelled the game two minutes into the second half and French took her chance from the penalty spot, following a hand ball, with 15 minutes still remaining. Despite VG Utd dominating the game at just one goal to the good there was still time for the Avengers to get back into the game, but once they lost a player to a red card sending off in the 39th minute, there was no way back.

The Panthers WFC will play the Wolues WFC on Saturday, November 21 at 4.30pm, also at Cedar School.

  • Anna French, VG United
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BVIFA collaborates with FA in continued coach education programme

November 16, 2020 by

The BVI Football Association Technical Director, Dan Neville continued to provide further high level additional learning opportunities to local coaches when he recently held the second part of the BVIFA’s Coach Education Programme, which, in a first for the Territory, was broadcast in conjunction with the English Football Association (the FA).

Grassroots champion and Training Ground Guru, Les Howie, senior lead in the FA Education Department, former professional footballer, Ben Futcher, the FA Youth Coach Developer and the FA’s National Coach Development Manager, Tony McCallum all made appearances by video link, joining local coaches Thomas Albert, Richie Morton, Anna French, Javon Carty, Morris Mark, Jermain Abrams and “Tinnie” Percival for the virtual seminar covering match analysis and developing game understanding.

“The coach education workshops have been a great opportunity to expand my understanding of the game and my role as a coach,” noted French who Coaches on Virgin Gorda and works with the Women’s National Squads.

“With guidance from coach education specialists, participants analyzed a variety of game situations and discussed the factors involved and what strategies we could employ.

“We were also given the opportunity to prepare a short presentation based on a game scenario which was critiqued by a panel of experts and our peers,” added French. “Overall, it was a great experience and I look forward to more opportunities to learn and grow as a coach.”

Abrams, also based on Virgin Gorda, said the seminar “was very informative and interactive and to be able to say what you would have done during game play scenarios and then to have that analysed and tweaked by such high quality coaches really helped. These sorts of events will take our coaching to another level.”

Covid protocols allowing, the next stage will be live workshops and the holding of CONCACAF coaching courses.

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Avengers beat Panthers in ongoing Women’s Futsal League

November 10, 2020 by
Avengers WFC with Makeda and Ebony Fahie kneeling in front
Photo: BVIFA

Makeda and Ebony Fahie created a little bit of football history on Saturday, November 7 when the sisters both scored hat tricks in a 7-2 win for the Avengers WFC against the Panthers WFC, in the BVI Football Association’s Futsal League at Cedar School.

Ebony opened the scoring for the Avengers in just the 2nd minute and although Morgan Creque leveled for the Panthers from the penalty spot in the 24th minute and the teams went into the break at 1-1, it didn’t take long for the sisters to blow the Panthers defense wide open in the second half.

Makeda hit a quick fire brace in the 27th and 28th minutes to make it 3-1; Ebony made it 4-1 in the 32nd minute; Keliene Smith made it 5-1 in the 38th and, after Zariya Smith pulled one back for the Panthers in the 46th minute, the sisters both rounded off their free scoring afternoon with a third goal each to make the final score 7-2.

“It was very exciting and rewarding, especially because before the game I challenged myself to help the team get at least 3 goals,” commented Makeda. “It’s been years since we’ve played and we’re all out of shape, but we were determined to win!”

The game marked the first time the sisters had both scored hat tricks in the same game and Makeda was quick to praise her sibling: “I was definitely proud of her because normally her passion for the game sometimes gets the better of her and the team, but she remained focused.”

Ebony also noted that fitness was an issue, but it was great to be back playing and scoring goals. “The Panthers played an extremely competitive game, and it was definitely a challenge, but one I relished,” she said “I’ve always enjoyed playing alongside my sister (Makeda). She’s my wing!”

Avengers coach, Jeffrey Demming commented he was pleased to get off to such an emphatic start. “I think overall we were more organized than the Panthers and the girls did all I asked of them in terms of moving the ball around and taking shots. The Panthers though were an incredibly determined team, and it was only in the last few minutes our fitness proved a difference,” said Demming.

Panthers coach, Jacintha Weeks also felt fitness proved a difference. “We will need to work on that aspect and definitely be back stronger,” she said. “Overall, I am proud of the team and we are all determined to do better in the coming games.”

The Avengers are back in action against VG United on Saturday November 14 with a 4.30pm kick off at Cedar School.

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