By Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway
VG United’s Sheldon Harry Jr., about to kiss the President’s Cup, after they beat the Wolues
VG United closed the BVI Football Association Men’s League, with a thrilling 4-3 penalty kicks victory over Wolues, to retain the President’s Cup it snatched from their rival last year, adding to the 2024-25 league title. Wolues on won the 2023-24 league title.
However, VG United’s Joel Mars’ penalty kick added to the game’s drama that ended 2-2 at the end of regulation. Wolues Goalie Simon Cross blocked Mars’ shot and the assistant referee raised a red flag, indicating that Cross had moved before the kick. Center Referee Jermaine May, gave Mars another attempt to kick which he made, that made the difference in the game. Video evidence following the game showed that Cross did not move.
VG United who beat the Wolues for the President’s Cup during the 2023-24 season, saw the Wolues’ Hugo Liziario giving them the early 1-0 lead seven minutes into the game. The aggressive VG United regrouped after the early deficit and was rewarded in the 18th minute when Jaadon Quashie scored off a set piece.
As both team’s defense tightened, Bernard Cumberbatch made a stoppage time breakthrough, to give VG United a 2-1 halftime edge. The Wolues made an aggressive return to the pitch, before Ciaran Johnston was able to put a shot past VG United’s Goalie Mekhi “Stash’ Waters, to level the game at 2-2 in the 50th minute.
VG United had several shots on goal as the game progressed but they sailed over the crossbar and the game ended at 2-2 after stoppage time forcing the penalty kicks.
Both teams scored their first two penalty kicks before the Wolues’ dependable scorer Liziario missed his attempt and Sheldon Toney put one to the right of Cross. Abner Villanueva then leveled the kicks at 3-3, before Mars came up and his shot was blocked, then converted his second try for a tense 4-3 victory.
“This means a lot and to snatch this trophy last year from Wolues and to come back and defend it against the same opponent, it shows a lot of guts, a lot of resilience, a lot of fighting,” VG United Manager Jermaine Abrams said. “Sometimes, you get really relaxed when you win something like the league, it’s like you’ve won the ultimate prize. But to keep this team focused and grounded—Wolues is one of the best opponents to do it against—you feel better when you do it against one of the best. It proves a lot with the two organizations, showing the directions that they’re going. They’re well structured, well organized and no other program you can feel good against if you lose, than Wolues.”
Abrams said Wolues started well while they looked a bit shaky and they found themselves a goal down, but his young team knew what they have and were able to pull one back, then got another just before the half.
“We don’t go to penalty kicks during the league but we’re cognizant that we have to do it in training to keep the guys’ minds sharp,” he said. “On Wednesday, we had a really relaxed practice, did some set pieces and of course, some penalties, and it paid off.”
Wolues Captain Phil Nelson said it’s always a close game with VG United, who they beat 1-0 in Virgin Gorda and lost 2-1 in the home leg during the season. “You couldn’t separate the teams after 90 minutes and we just missed out on penalty kicks,” he said. “This is only the second penalty kick I’ve been in since I came to the BVI in 2017 and the second one we lost. So we need to practice, because we don’t. But, it’s always a battle. Two even teams, different styles, they’re a lot younger than us, they have a bit more players than us, but we have a bit more experience and are a bit more direct. Despite the two different styles, the games are always close.”
