By Lesroy W. Williams

Observer Reporter

(Warner Park, St. Kitts)—The British Virgin Islands National Football team is recovering from a 4-0 whipping from the St. Kitts and Nevis “Sugar Boys” National Team at Warner Park on Sept. 24, in Group D of the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Championships.

St. Kitts and Nevis won the first of three games that will be played at Warner Park, Basseterre. On Friday September 26, Barbados will play the BVI and on Sunday September 28, St. Kitts/Nevis will play Barbados.

It wasn’t exactly the best day for the BVI team as they struggled on the field, failing to put the ball in the net.

“We went out with a game plan that we didn’t execute,” said Avondale Williams, Coach of the BVI team. “We need to tighten up in the loose areas.”

The BVI team is comprised of players from about six nationalities.

Mr. Williams said that although his team lost bitterly, he has to give them credit, because they train under very limited conditions.

“We do not have a good field for practicing and we lack proper training facilities,” Mr. Williams said.

Although St. Kitts and Nevis won the game four to nil, Head Coach for the national team said that the team still leaves a lot to be desired.

“We should have won that game more handsomely,” said Lester Morris. “We had problems putting the ball in the net. We have communication problems on the field. We are indecisive in front of the goal.”

“The coaches have done their jobs, it’s now up to the players to perform well,” Mr. Morris said.

“I hope we make better use of our scoring opportunities in our game on Sunday,” he said.

Jevon Francis #9, scored the first goal for St. Kitts/Nevis in the 15th minute while Zevon Archibald #14, scored the second goal in the 32nd minute.

At the end of the first half, the score stood at 2-0 in favor of St. Kitts/Nevis.

With two goals down, the BVI team knew that they were in trouble. Try as they did, their ship had sunk too far.

In the second half of the game, Keithroy Richardson #2 powered the ball into the net in the 52nd minute, to a thunderous uproar from the crowd.

To clinch the game convincingly, Jason “Ian” Lake slammed the ball into the net in the 77th minute, rendering the goalkeeper impotent.

“I think the team played an acceptable match. We should have scored more goals but we missed a few opportunities,” said Orlando Mitchum, # 15, for the St.Kitts and Nevis team. “We are proud of the victory. We will come out fighting again.”

In what was a very clean game, there were no yellow or red cards.

St Kitts/Nevis took 14 shots to the goal and BVI 7; St. Kitts/Nevis had 11 corner kicks to BVI’s 4; St. Kitts/Nevis committed 10 fouls and BVI 5; St. Kitts/Nevis had 9 off sides while BVI had 4.

The St. Kitts/ Nevis team is comprised of: 1. Delroy Delaney, 14. Zevon Archibald (11. Stephen Clarke min 59), 2. Keithroy Richards, 16. Javin Matthew (4.Elvado Mitchum min 67), 10. JasonLake, 7. George Issac, 13. Thrizen Leader, 9. Jevon Francis, 6. Irandy Byron, 15. Orlando Mitchum (17.Errol O’Loughlin min79), 18.ShashiIsaac.

Subs included: 01. Delroy Delaney- GK, 5. Rovin Wigley, 3. Earl Jones.

The British Virgin Islands team comprised: 19. Venton James, 17. Ranelie Cain, 10. Lyndon Remy, 15. Andy Davis (8. Dwayne Ross min 79), 7. Raul Ettienne (12.Randy John min 36), 9. Fitzroy Daley (16. Rohan Lennon min 55), 18. Noel Issacs, 5. Elvis Williams, 14. Mervin Dainty, 11. Nano Ottley, 1.Montgomery Butler.

Substitutes included: 13. Raymond Cummings, 4. Alex Green, 22. Henif James GK, 2. Jevorne Demming.

Digicel, sponsor of Caribbean Football launched the Digicel Championships 2008 in Curacao. Digicel announced its initial four year sponsorship of the Digicel Caribbean Cup in 2004 but have extended its partnership with the Caribbean Football Union for the sponsorship of the Caribbean Championships for another four years from 2007.

Previously known as the Digicel Caribbean Cup, the newly named Digicel Caribbean Championships reflect more appropriately the magnitude and size of the tournament in line with other World football tournaments.

“Following the huge success of the last Digicel Cup, I am delighted to announce a change to the name of the tournament. The Digicel Caribbean Championships reflect the massive growth of the tournament over the last few years, from being a week-long cup event four years ago to a much larger scale tournament that encompasses more games and participating teams than ever before. I’m looking forward to seeing some exciting football over the coming months and hope that Caribbean fans come out in force to support their national teams,” President of the Caribbean Football Union and Vice President of FIFA, Jack Warner said.

Twenty-five regional teams will compete for the Digicel Caribbean Championships.

The first prize in the championships is US$120,000; second prize is US$70,000; third prize is US$50,000; and fourth prize is US$30,000.