Phillip Jules is sent the wrong way from the penalty spot by Keegan Pertrano as the USVI pull a goal back. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Carlos Paradisi scored the BVI's opening goal and inspired his team to a 2-0 advantage before tired legs took over in the second half. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Phillip Jules pulled off some fine saves in the first half to keep the BVI in the game. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The BVI battled away all game and defensively were very strong despite going down 4-2 to the USVI. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

As the two teams took to the field, the USVI appeared almost twice the size of their BVI counterparts and it took a while for the hosts to overcome lingering doubts of being able to compete with the visitors.

However, after a spell of intense pressure from the USVI in the opening minutes of the first half, the BVI boys finally began to get a foothold in the game with Carlos Paradisi especially full of running and it was he who opened the scoring to give the home side a surprise 1-0 lead.

Paradisi picked up the ball just inside the USVI half and went on another long rangy run and after an interchange of passes was able to let loose a rocket of a shot from the edge of the area which flew into the USVI goal.

The smattering of USVI parents who had made the trip  were silenced and the home fans began to have their voices heard as the BVI gained great confidence and began to launch attack after attack on the USVI.

It has to be said that if the BVI Football Association (BVIFA) had bothered to announce the game was taking place then the cheers would have been even greater when Timothy Louis rounded off another attacking move down the left hand side with a well taken goal, again giving the USVI ‘keeper no chance.

As the half wore on the BVI boys needed to slow the game down and catch their breath as both the size of the pitch and their physical size was beginning to add up to some tired legs.

The defense though was holding firm as the USVI battled back into the game and it took a dubious penalty awarded for handball to give them a lifeline.

A seemingly fair clearance was well on its way out for a corner when the ball struck a BVI defender and deflected out for what it was assumed was a corner, but to the surprise of many and the relief of the USVI the Referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Phillip Jules had pulled off some great saves already in the game to keep the USVI at bay, but he had no chance of making a save this time as Keegan Pertrano calmly sent him the wrong way and buried the ball to Jules’ right as he went left.

Jules pulled off some more saves as the USVI piled forward in search of the equalizer before the break and was unlucky again as just before the whistle blew the ball broke to Luke Patrie who was unmarked on the right hand side of the area and he was able to steady himself before sliding the ball under and passed the diving Jules and into the net.

In the second half the BVI found themselves reeling under pressure from the USVI and as gaps began to open up in midfield the visitors took command of the game.

Jules was again left exposed as one attack saw the USVI slice through the BVI midfield and defense for the go ahead goal and then Jules looking tired himself made a basic error to let a seemingly week shot slip under his hands and into the net to make it 4-2.

“In the first half we played well” commented Coach ‘Left’. “It seemed to me as though they understood what was going on, played the ball around, created chances and scored two good goals. In the second half the defense was tight, but we couldn’t get any attacks going.”

Next up for the U-15’s is a tournament in the Cayman Islands and ‘Left’ hopes the team will be able to stay together and get some practice in before then.

As for the USVI, who will be attending the same Tournament, they have more ambitious plans.  “We have been going through all the schools in St John and St Thomas and will be joining up with St Croix. We have a lot of inter-island matches planned and also will be heading to Puerto Rico,” stated their coach, Jody Limeburner.