Dominica's Kelrick Walters makes it 2-0 against the hapless Virgin Islands in their Scotiabank Caribbean Cup game at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds on March 26, 2016. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Team Virgin Islands prior to their game against Dominica. A game they would love to soon forget! Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

VI's Ryan Dicker sees the ball bounce off his knee and into his own net. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

A sizeable crowd supporting both teams were treated to 15 minutes of VI dominance in the first half, but being unable to make a breakthrough, compounded by the loss of influential midfielder Karl Espley to injury, soon turned into a first half nightmare as Dominica grabbed the game by the throat and scored 4 times, to go into the half time break with a comfortable lead.

In the 20^th minute, an in swinging corner bounced off the knee of Ryan Dicker to leave Ben Chapman helpless and handed the visitors the opening goal.

Kelrick Walters was on hand in the 27^th minute to hit home the second after Chapman’s initial save saw the ball bounce back off the post.

Bertrand scored his second in the 33^rd minute and then Julian Wade scored the first of what was to be a hat trick, in the 44^th minute.

The second half saw Walters score the 5^th and then Wade rounded out his hat trick with a delightful chip over the advancing Daniel Barker and a well taken penalty.

“The chip gave me the most satisfaction,” noted Wade. “It was such a good pass and I enjoyed making the lob.”

Wade also commented that his team had settled down nicely into the game and had grown in confidence.

Head Coach, Shane Marshall, was equally as happy with his team’s performance. “It took us a little time to get into the game, but once we were able to play our game, we controlled the match and I’m pleased with the way the guys passed the ball around, created chances and also scored goals.”

“VI side looked tired” - Coach

VI Captain Troy Caesar said the home side came out with a game plan, but despite a bright start were unable to recover from conceding the early goal and was sorry they didn’t live up to the crowds expectations of a more competitive game.

Coach Avondale Williams thought his side looked tired after only one day’s rest, following the Martinique game.

“I don’t know what went wrong, the guys played their hearts out, but just looked tired. Losing Espley upset the balance of the team and the substitutions didn’t really work out. Overall it was very frustrating, some decisions didn’t go in our favour, but that’s football.”