The BVI National team defeated a very strong Barth’s national team 4-3 in the Bath’s International Football Festival, a triangular tournament which included French St. Martin. Photo: Provided

The Virgin Islands (VI) footballers had played the French team the day before and drew 0-0, in a hard-fought game but also knew St Barth’s would be a different opponent, difficult to defeat at home.

“It must be said that this 2018 BVI squad now with a new performance coach Mark Hooks seemed destined for greatness in this tournament and beyond and would not allow St. Barth’s to push them about,” according to a statement released by team handlers.

The BVI National team, under manager John Reilly, along with coaches Dan Neville and Andy Davis, had decided to invest in the youth and started with 17 year-old, Tosh Gallimore in midfield, while 16 year-old, Charles Medway, retained his place in the starting 11 for this crucial and difficult game.

Also in the starting line-up were local lads, Troy Ceasar and Trevor D. Peters, up front in the striking positions and Jamie Wilson, in midfield.

“Our powerful defence included more local players with Josh Bertie on the left wing along with Phil Neson and James Drury.”

St Barth's Lead

As had been done all weekend, the BVI National team started slowly again and St Barth’s took the lead with a long-range strike after 15 minutes of play.

This VI team having shown great resilience during the tournament, started to make a come-back into the game and created several chances before Jordan Johnson, equalized after 30 mins.

The game then became somewhat disjointed after a succession of fouls by the home-side, attempting to throw the VI athletes off their game, hoping to score more goals before the break.

As half time approached, St Barth’s got their wish and regained the lead through a controversial goal which had a hint of offside and a foul on goal keeper Ben Chapman in the build-up.

Stoppage Time 

A lengthy stoppage time ensued while keeper, Chapman, received treatment from medical staff.

Things went from bad to worse, shortly after for the VI athletes, after Carson Price, was inexplicably sent off by the referee who was by this time struggling to maintain control of the game.

The halftime whistle then went and BVI Team trailed 2-1 to the home side.

During the break the VI coaching staff had time to analyse what was happening with their team, realising the mode of the home side and the way the game was headed and introduced another local player, Kevin Fisher and Christian Xavier and shuffled the pack with several players being moved to different positions.

The changes had an almost instant impact and Troy Ceaser equalised shortly after the restart.

The BVI team continued to press forward and as St Barths began to show signs of fatigue, further chances were created as the BVI dominated possession of the ball.

BVI Victory 

Against the run of play, St Barths regained the lead after a break down in the right wing defence.

The BVI Team, undeterred, continued to have most of the possession of the ball and their persistence paid off when Kevin Fisher grabbed the equaliser after an accurate Xavier pass.

With 10 minutes to go and BVI team camped inside the opponent’s half, they made their last change and brought on Bailey Rowe as an extra forward and sacrificed Medway to become a 3-4-2 formation. The change proved to be a stroke of genius and immediately paid off as Rowe got straight into the mix and was heavily involved in the build up to chances for Johnson and Fisher having attempts at goal.

Deep into injury time, it was Jamie Wilson, who arguably had the game of his life and was probably MVP of the game and has been in tremendous form in the 2018 local league, was hacked making a driving run into the box and gave the local referee no option but to award a penalty to the BVI.

Jordan Johnson was cool and calm as he duly dispatched the ball into the back of the net to secure another significant win for the VI and not only brought a fitting end to a record breaking tour but more significantly brought the BVI Team back into winning ways.