Islanders reclaim title to BVIFA President’s Cup

January 26, 2021 by
The Islanders beat Sugar Boys 2-0 to win the BVIFA President’s Cup and reclaim their title. Photo: BVIFA

The Islanders FC completed a Domestic Double on Sunday 24th January 2021, when they slid past arch rivals, Sugar Boys FC, 2-0, to lift the BVI Football Association’s President’s Cup at the National Stadium venue in East End / Long Look.

Usually when these two sides meet, the game is tense and tightly contested with this final no different as each team probed for the breakthrough against resolute defenses and tough tackling midfields.

The longer a game goes on though – when you are playing the habitual champion side and you are not able to gain advantage through goal scoring – the more likely, history has shown, the Islanders are to wear you down and snaffle a victory.

And this is exactly how it went on Sunday as a game that was in deadlock until the 74th minute was suddenly blown wide open by Rohan Lenon.

Karu Charles broke down the right-hand side, evaded two challenges and played the perfect ball into the path of Lenon, who made no mistake shooting home with power and accuracy. The destiny of the Cup was sealed when Lenon was quickest to react to a Montgomery Butler goal kick in the 81st minute, dribbling around the last defender and wrapping up victory with a thumping strike.

“The game was a great advertisement for the quality of football now being played,” noted BVIFA President Mr. Andy Bickerton. “A good crowd enjoyed a very tight game which was decided by the introduction of Islanders’ veteran striker “Chi-Chi” Leonard with 2 opportunist goals in 5 minutes. Both teams should be congratulated a fitting finale to the season.”

“It was great to win, regain the trophy from the Sugar Boys and show them that we are the real Champions,” commented Islanders’ Captain, Ranalie Cains.

In 2017, The Sugar Boys had beaten the Islanders, 1-0 in the final and in 2018 the Sugar Boys knocked the Islanders out in the semifinal, 5-1, before going on to beat Wolues FC 5-2 in the Final

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Islanders FC take BVIFA National League Trophy and $10K!

January 5, 2021 by
Islanders FC take the BVIFA National League Trophy as well as the winner’s check for $10,000. Photo:BVIFA

BVI Football Association President Mr. Andy Bickerton was on hand at the weekend to present the Islanders FC with the National League Trophy as well as the winner’s check for $10,000.

Other Awardees were
Most Goals: (20) Nigel Sanderson Panthers FC
MVP: Sheldon Harry, Islanders FC
Outstanding Youth Player: Luca Reich, Wolues FC
Golden Glove: Linden Williams Suger Boys FC
Fair Play: Sugar Boys FC

“Congratulations go to the Islanders on securing another National League Championship,” commented Bickerton. “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!”

  • Linden Williams, Sugar Boys FC, Golden Glove. Photo: BVIFA
  • Luca Reich, Wolues FC, Outstanding Youth Player. Photo: BVIFA
  • Nigel Sanderson, Panthers FC, Most Goals. Photo: BVIFA
  • Sheldon Harry, Islanders FC, MVP. Photo: BVIFA
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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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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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Islanders F.C. are 2016/17 National League Champions

February 8, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

Kevin Fisher gets his head to the ball for the Islanders against Sugar Boys. Photo: BVIFA

Kevin Fisher gets his head to the ball for the Islanders against Sugar Boys. Photo: BVIFA

The Islanders F.C duly went through the 2016/17 National League season undefeated with a 2-0 victory against the Sugar Boys, who finished second, whilst the Rebels claimed third place with a 1-0 win over One Love

The Golden Boot Award was claimed by Kevin Fisher who scored twice in the Islanders win, taking advantage of goal keeping errors on both occasions, to reach 13 for the season, leaving both Mohammed Kachour and Richard Morgan, who failed to find the net on the final day of the National League, for Sugar Boys and One Love respectively, on 11 goals, in joint second.

At the other end of the table, the Panthers beat VG United, 4-0, on two goals by Phillip Graham, a candidate for National League Youth Player of the Year and further goals from Prevell Asson and Wayne Phillip.

The Wolues finished in 5th place with an emphatic 4-1 scoreline in their match with Old Madrid, with Xavier Gili, Giovanni Di Bliaise and Rory Greenan, twice, all finding the net.

The Presentations of Awards for the National League will take place at the end of the Presidents Cup Final, this coming Sunday February 12th at the A.O. Shirley Ground

The Top Four will be contesting the competition, with the Islanders facing One Love in the first Semi Final, whilst the Rebels take on the Sugar Boys in the second semi final.

Both games are scheduled for Saturday 11th February on the A.O. Shirley Ground at 5pm and 7pm respectively.

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Islanders take BVIFA National League title fourth time running

January 31, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

Action from Wolues v VG Utd in the 2017 BVIFA National League. Photo: BVIFA / Charlie Jackson

Action from Wolues v VG Utd in the 2017 BVIFA National League. Photo: BVIFA / Charlie Jackson

Whilst they will have to wait for the official presentation of the trophy, the Islanders secured a 4th consecutive BVI Football Association National League title, with a 2-1 win over the Rebels F.C. on Sunday, January 29, 2017

Needing at least one point to deny the Sugar Boys, who beat Old Madrid 4-1 the previous day, a chance of sneaking the Championship, the Islanders went ahead in the first half through Fitzroy Daley. However, Joel Williams equalised and it was left to talisman, Avondale Williams to calmly slot home the winner from the edge of the box.

There are still games to go on Wednesday and at the weekend, but the presentations will be made at the conclusion of the last game of the season between the Sugar Boys and the Islanders, .

Sugar Boys had applied a little bit of pressure on the Islanders with a comfortable victory on Saturday against the Old Madrid side, with Mohamed Kafour scoring a hat trick and going joint top of the Golden Boot table on 11 goals.

Kevin Fisher of the Islanders also has 11 as does Richard Morgan of One Love.

The other goals came from Akeem Hendrikson and a Sugar Boys own goal.

Despite defeat, the Rebels guaranteed themselves a top four finish as did One Love with a 2-0 victory against the Panthers, courtesy of Goals from Morgan and Uriah Junior Baptiste

The Wolues 4-0 win over VG United was the penultimate weekend’s action with goals from Kevin Carragher, Giovanni Di Biaise (2) and Omar Elliston.

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Wolues, Rebels, One Love, and Islanders secure weekend wins

September 27, 2016 by

By BVI Football Association

Wolues F.C. vs Old Madrid F.C at BVIFA 2016 National League match on September 24. Photo: BVISports.com

Wolues F.C. vs Old Madrid F.C at BVIFA 2016 National League match on September 24. Photo: BVISports.com

Whilst many awaited the mouthwatering clash between the Islanders F.C. and the Sugar Boys F.C. the match of the weekend was the first game on Saturday 24th September, between the Wolues F.C. and Old Madrid.

In the first thirty minutes of the game, the only excitement to get the crowd engaged was the appearance of two paragliders landing on the A.O. Shirley Ground, apparently diverted from their attended target of Nanny Cay by a lack of wind.

However, after two goals were disallowed for offside, just two corners, both to Old Madrid and only one shot on target, Kenmore Peters arrived at the far post, unmarked, to head home a Sheldon Harry free kick in the 35th minute.

Leo Forte almost leveled for the Wolues moments later as he burst through the midfield towards goal only to be denied by a last gasp tackle from Courtney Johnson as he lined up his shot.

A delightful interchange of passes between Timothy Parsons and Xavier Arnougili saw the latter fire inches wide to sound further alarm bells in the Old Madrid defense, which had up until the dyeing moments of the first half, been expertly organized by Danny Joseph.

The Wolues finally got a deserved equalizer in the 64th minute when Christopher Farmer fired home a volley from an acute angle, latching onto a half clearance following a Rory Greenan free kick.

Peters almost put Old Madrid back in front with a diving header, but in the 68th minute, substitute Noel Maxwell put the Wolues up 2-1 with a curling effort evading the dive of Dion Clarke in the Madrid goal.

In the 80th minute Peters arrived unmarked again at the Wolues far post to nod home the equalizer after a free kick from the Madrid left deceived Andre Gaymes in the Wolues goal, but James Drury secured all three points for the Wolues with a 25-yard free kick, which went up and over the wall and past the despairing Clarke to make it 3-2 in the 87th minute.

The Rebels F.C. then made a winning start to their campaign with a 3-1 victory over VG United, with a first half goal scored by Michael Baptichon, cancelled out by Xavier John in the 64th minute before Howard Johnson restored the advantage a minute later and Baptichon scored his second and the Rebels third in the 80th minute.

On Sunday, Uriah Jnr. Baptiste put One Love on the way to a 3-1 win over the Panthers, scoring in the 33rd minute, before two second half goals from Richard Morgan confirmed the win, despite Kenny Emmanuel giving the Panthers reason to hope for at least a share of the points with his 66th minute equalizer.

The Islanders then secured a 2-0 win over arch rivals, the Sugar Boys with goals from Kevin Fisher, who bundled home a loose ball from close range in the first half and Nano Ottley in the second.

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Islanders conclude season unbeaten

June 24, 2014 by

Akeem Hendrikson heads home a first half equalizer for the Sugar Boyz. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson


Akeem Hendrikson heads home a first half equalizer for the Sugar Boyz. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson

Islanders F.C. duly completed an unbeaten Premier League Season with a 3-1 win over the Ballstars on Sunday, whilst the Sugar Boys overcame a battling Wolues 3-2 to cement third place in the standings and give themselves a shot at finishing second.

The Islanders have already been crowned Champions following One Love forfeiting last Wednesday nights top of the table clash found themselves a goal down inside the first five minutes when stand in goal keeper, Fitzroy Daley made an elementary handling error inside his own box to gift the Ballstars a free kick, which was deflected by Ranalie Caine past the flapping Daley and inside the near post.

Just two minutes later though, the Islanders were level when McTair James was brought crashing down in the Ballstars box and Avondale Williams powered his spot kick straight past Troy Caesar.

The Islanders then went 2-1 up, in the 20th minute, following a long run by Noel Isaac, who slid the perfect ball into the path of Andy Davis and who, in turn, expertly chipped the ball over Caesar and into the empty net.

The second half saw the Islanders squander a lot of chances with several players guilty of over elaboration in front of goal and a lack of composure, but eventually Caines made it 3-1 in the 70th minute when presented with the simplest of tap ins.

The Wolues then played the Sugar Boyz and caught their defense still getting organized when Xavier Arnau Gili slotted home the opening goal in the second minute.

The same player had a chance to double the lead moments later, but his flicked effort went agonizingly wide of the far post.

However for much of the remainder of the first half it was a sea of Orange in the Wolues half as the Sugar Boyz piled on the pressure. Derol Redhead latched onto a through ball and should have at least hit the target. Wolues Keeper, Nick Messum, made a couple of flying saves from Jeunick Mingo, Roger Roberts and Redhead, but even he was powerless to prevent the equalizer in the 32nd minute when a pinpoint cross from Terry Nanthan was met with a bullet header by Akeem Hendrikson.

A sublime touch and first time pass from Nanthan put Roberts through on goal early in the second half and he made no mistake in sliding the ball past Messum to make it 2-1 to the Boyz.

Then a Robin Van Persie like looping header from Graeme Willis in the 47th minute made it 2-2, but 15 minutes later Roberts scored his second to restore his teams lead at 3-2.

As time ran out Redhead should have made it 4-2, but opted to pass rather than shoot and at the other end Jose Jiminez squandered an opportunity to give the Wolues what would have been a deserved point,

On Wednesday night, June 25th, One Love play the Ballstars in a Premier League encounter on the A.O. Shirley Ground at 7pm.

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