Avondale Williams calms the crowd and Islanders hearts with the equaliser during last nights 3-1 win over the Haitian Stars

Gregory Atime had a solid performance in goal for the Haitians, making several key saves.

Two teams with vastly different records met last night under the lights of the A.O. Shirley ground with most in the crowd expecting a cricket score from the unbeaten Islanders who were taking on the bottom club, the Haitian Stars in the National League.

However through a combination of determined defending by the Haitians and some sloppy final ball and finishing by the over relaxed Islanders that never materialized.

Yes, the Islanders created numerous chances and the Haitians almost scored an own early goal, which was swatted away from goal by the back peddling Gregory Atime, but three of four other clear cut chances went way wide or were saved by Atime.

The relaxed air of the Islanders was then shattered and the crowd brought to their feet on ten minutes, when a mix up on the edge of the Islanders box allowed James St Aime to nod the ball over the stranded Monty Butler and into the back of the net.

The Islanders came back strong with a more dynamic approach and were rewarded with a contested goal following a spate of corners from the left and right.

The massed Haitian defense unable to clear the loose ball and Avondale Williams’ outstretched boot made no mistake with a lobbed shot nestling in the top left corner.

Half hearted claims of a high boot were waived away by the Referee.

Undeterred, the Haitians continued to battle for every ball, sometimes doubling up on defense to strangle the Islanders build up play and sometimes resorting to last ditch tackles.

It was testament to their resolute performance that the game remained tied up until the final minute of the first half, but then the irrepressible Henroy Mitchell finally hit the target with a powerful drive giving Atime no chance.

Such had been the seeds of doubt sown into the Islanders that there was hardly a celebration, more a sigh of relief.

The second half followed that of the first with the Islanders creating chance after chance only to see shots saved by Atime or going hopelessly high and wide. One effort in fact clearing the surrounding wall and bouncing off into the Police Station.

Mitchell finally put the game to bed with an unstoppable volley on 68 minutes. He has now scored 5 goals in his last two games and the Islanders will be hoping his hot streak continues into the tougher games ahead.

Make no mistake though this was by far the toughest challenge they have overcome this season and the likes of the Wolues and Sugar Boys, who lead the chasing pack will have taken note of the Haitian performance.

The Weekend schedule: SAT 2/11: 6:00 p.m. Panthers v Old Madrid, 6:00 p.m. Lucian Stars v One Love Venue: VG

SUN 2/12; 4:00 p.m. Islanders v Lucian Stars, 6:00 p.m. Wolues v Haitian Stars, 6:00 p.m. VG United v Sugar Boys Venue: VG

BVIFA National League Standing as of February 9th