The most amazing game of the day was saved until last with First Impressions taking on Cedar School in the U12’s Final and what a game it was.

Cedar School took an early advantage through talisman Leo Forte and seemed to be heading for the Championship when in the final minutes of normal time, up popped Gillaume Perkins to fire home a long range equalizer past the unsighted Nina Forte in goal.

Up till that moment, Forte had been unbeatable in goal, pulling off a string of fine saves and such is the vagaries of football that her commanding performance would end in heartbreak. Extra time came and went with no further scoring, meaning the two teams faced a penalty shoot out to decide who would carry off the trophy.

Despite some great saves, shots hitting crossbars and posts and narrow misses from both teams, First Impressions held their nerve and with scores from Perkins, Kendall Davis and Marcus Luke to win the match 3-2 and with it were crowned champions.

Earlier in the afternoon, another First Impressions team routed Cedar School Blue, who were missing several starters, in a 4-0 victory for the Under 9 title with goals by Jahmal Prentice (12th, 24th), Jalen Prentice (17th) and Shamori Palmer (30th).

In the Under 12 Playoffs for third and fourth place, Althea Scatliffe took the third place with a 2-0 victory over Joyce Samuels with goals by Dante McCoy in the 30th minute and Laresha Martin in the 36th.

A feisty Under 7s exhibition match between division winners Enid Scatliffe Blue and third place team Seventh Day Adventist, saw Seventh Day Adventist winning with one goal.

The awards ceremony followed with brief remarks by Governor Boyd McCreary. BDO representatives together with Hon. Mark Vanterpool, handed out the awards together with jackets and caps to the teams and players.

The School’s Football League in which BDO, one of the world’s top five accounting firms invested over $40,000, has unearthed a bevy of talent, new players and among high school girls, have surpassed expectations, with more than 60 from three schools coming out to play. There were 11 Under 7 teams; nine Under 9s; 14 Under 12 teams, plus Under 14s and High School teams in male and female divisions.

The League had 130 matches attracting over 600 children.

This sponsorship is BDO’s largest to date in local football, though BDO has been a continuing sponsor of teams, coaching and other training for many years. Andy Bickerton, Managing Director of BDO Limited, who is also the BVIFA president, said at the closing of the League: “BDO could not have been happier with the success of this project, youngster participation exceeded expectations and if the BVIFA can keep these players in the game the future looks very bright for football in the BVI.”

BDO Schools Football League Results

High School Males 1. Elmore Stoutt 2. Bregado Flax

3. Seventh Day Adventist

Most Valuable Player: Troy Caesar

Highest Goal Scorer: Troy Caesar

High School Female 1. Bregado Flax 2. H Lavity Stoutt College

3. Elmore Stoutt

Most Valuable Player: Sapphire Flax-Clarke

Highest Goal Scorer: Sapphire Flax-Clarke

Under 14s 1. Cedar School

2. Elmore Stoutt

Most Valuable Player: Kenzie Turnbull

Highest Goal Scorer: Robert Browne

Under 12s 1. First Impressions 2. Cedar School

3. Althea Scatliffe

Most Valuable Player: Leo Forte

Highest Goal Scorer: Leo Forte

Under 9s 1. First Impressions 2. Cedar School Blue

3. Cedar School Green

Most Valuable Player: Jahmal Prentice

Highest Goal Scorer: Jahmal Prentice

Under 7s 1. Enid Scatliffe Blue 2. Seventh Day Adventist

3. First Impressions

Most Valuable Player: Azarni Callwood and Kalique Callwood

Highest Goal Scorer: Azarni Callwood