McTair James crashes his volley in off the post to make it 3-0 to the Islanders. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

Raymon Cummings put Islanders ahead 5-0 before half time with a lucky ricochet after his shot was blocked by the keeper. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

Andersen scores the first of what would become a hat trick in the 12-1 thrashing of East End. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

The new season has not been without its difficulties for the Territory's number one team as they have lost several players from the last campaign and have had to bed in some new talent.

The wobbles in their performances are well and truly over though as the newcomers all had a hand in the most emphatic statement of intent made on an opening day anywhere in football.

Rushedo Robinson opened the scoring in the 17^th minute when he split the East End defense. Fladimir Septus added the second goal in the 25^th and that effort was followed up by McTair James two minutes later when he latched onto a through ball and fired in an unstoppable volley.

Francis Primo continued the scoring in the 32^nd when he saw the goalkeeper out of position to slot home and then four minutes later, Raymond Cummings got a lucky break as his shot was blocked by the ‘keeper only for the rebound to ricochet off his shin and into the empty net.

A minute later, Valdo Andersen scored the first of what would end as a hat trick, the other goals coming in the 56^th and 65^th minutes. Kaleeth Cave, in the 63^rd padded the score, before Carlos Septus added scores in the 80^th and 87^th stanzas.

East End’s Donson Humphrey had earlier contributed to the Islanders’ tally with an own goal in the 43^rd. Soniel Lucas scored for the Eagles in the 85^th  to prevent a shutout.

In the second match of the opening day, Panthers trimmed the Rebels, 2-1 during a defensive tussle.

Odean Thompson gave the Panthers the lead when he scored 8 minutes in. The Rebels equalized in the 44^th off Danny Joseph’s penalty kick. Collie Mickle got an opportunity in the 84^th and scored from a penalty kick to give the Panthers the victory.