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
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
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.”
