By BVIFA

The BVI Football Association 2016 /17 National League kicked off in fine style on Sunday 18th, September, in front of a large crowd and two exciting matches on the A.O. Shirley Ground.

The first game saw two teams, Panthers F.C. and Sugar Boys F.C. still rusty from pre-season, but playing entertaining football, in an encounter that for all the world seemed to be heading for a 0-0 stalemate, despite plenty of goal mouth action at either end.

As it was, the game was decided in the 84th minute when a neat interchange of passing in the midfield released Derrol Redhead out wide on the right. His cross then fell invitingly for Roger Roberts to steer home the only goal of the game and secure all three points for the Virgin Gorda based outfit.

The first half had been all about missed opportunity with Redhead going close a couple of times and bringing out some acrobatic saves from Edgbert Isaac. Terrence Nanton also had a first time volley dealt with spectacularly by the keeper.

At the other end, Omar Williams was millimeters away from getting his head on a cross from Shamoy Thompson, who himself had a shot blocked by Leslie Ambrose in the Sugar Boys goal.

The second game of the night saw an equally pulsating end to end game between the Islanders F.C. and One Love F.C. which was narrowly won, 2-1 by the defending champions, the Islanders.

The opening goal was a well-directed header by Islanders midfielder Julian Davidson, who rose high at the far post to nod home a Fitzroy Daley corner in the 29th minute, the lead though was short lived as in the 43rd minute Howard Hemmings took advantage of some hesitant Islanders defending to control a loose ball in the box and curl a delightful shot past the helpless Montgomery Butler.

The second half had a few clear cut chances apart from a one on one save from Butler as Carl Stewart burst through on goal, until McTair James calmly curled in from the edge of the box to make it 2-1 Islanders in the 78th minute.

Next Saturday, 24th September, the Wolues F.C. will play Old Madrid at 5pm, whilst at 7pm the Rebels F.C. take on Virgin Gorda United. On Sunday 25th September, the Panthers face One Love F.C. at 5pm and then at 7pm, the Islanders F.C. come up against the Sugar Boys, with all matches slated for the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground.

The BVIFA National League is supported by Stag Beer, distributed in the Virgin Islands by Caribbean Cellars, and FLOW.

By VINO

With the transfer deadline day fast approaching, member clubs of the British Virgin Islands Football Association (BVIFA) are all gearing up for the launch of the 2016/17 season, which begins with the National League.

Some ten clubs are expected to participate in the National League, which will run from September to late February 2017, with a mid-season Christmas break.

The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for September 18, 2016 on the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds, from 4:00 P.M. and will not only feature the usual speeches, but also two big games to get things started.

At 5:00 P.M. Sugar Boys will play Wolues and that game will be followed by Islanders taking on One Love at 7:00 P.M.

The BVIFA has also promised entertainment, food and refreshments on the day and the entrance fee is just $3.00 ($2 under 12).

The National League is just the start of a full calendar of football for the season, but with a total prize money of $11,000 it will be a hotly contested competition.

The last time the National League took place was three years ago, in 2014, when as a two tier premier league and division one. The Premier League Champions were the Islanders, who had also won the previous year’s championship and the division one title went to Old Madrid.