The BVI Women's Select XI celebrate their 2 nil victory in front of the home fans on Sunday March 11, 2012.

Laverne "Ebony" Fahie cooly slotted home her first ever successful penalty kick to make it 2 nil.

Laverne "Ebony" Fahie cooly slotted home her first ever successful penalty kick to make it 2 nil.

Call it what you want, see it how you want, describe it how you want, but Sunday night’s match against the USVI Women’s Select XI was all about one thing; Revenge for Friday’s defeat and restoration of Pride.

The local girls were battered and bruised from the previous one nil loss on Friday but they responded as one; overcame the obstacles, laid to rest their fears and played as a team, united under one badge and responded with a heartwarming victory.

Boosted by the return of Murcella Gordon, Laura Pompey and Joanna James, the BVI took to Sunday’s rematch against the USVI with a renewed vigour and belief.

Yes it was a game with a few clear cut chances for either team, but this was the BVI at its best. Kia Foreman and Laura Pompey controlled the defense. Kezia Gumbs and Keliene Smith locked down the attacking USVI wingers. Murcella Gordon and Kera Ali provided the space and ball for Lavern “Ebony” Fahie to create attacks and Ali Browne, Saphire Flax and Michelle Jimenez never gave the USVI defense a moment’s pause, running them ragged throughout the game.

If all else failed then Brittany Peters, in goal, was in commanding form.

Even when the substitutes came on during the second half there was no let up of intensity, Dalia Sonny, Victoria Medley Perkins, Molissa Haywood, Lauren Aitken and Joanna James all slotting in perfectly with the games ebb and flow.

The first half ended in stalemate and as in the first game, the USVI shaved it possession wise without creating any real chances.

A series of corners had threatened the BVI goal, but with Foreman marshalling her troops, there was never a serious threat. “From Friday when they won with a fluke shot, we knew we were coming out to beat them today, we had our full squad and came out to kick butt!” she stated.

Pompey was in imperious form despite a slow start and the twin threat of Zola Kaza and Zaubita Zola Amlac was thwarted. Leann Cantabona was much less comfortable with Fahie playing a more advanced role for the BVI and she was at last able to show her true ability, being at the centre of the BVI counter attacks during the first half, but it wasn’t until the second period that the real drama unfolded.

What seemed like a harmless free kick from out wide on the left just inside the USVI half was floated forward by Gordon. Flax hustled the ball through to Weeks inside the penalty box and her pass found James unmarked in front of goal. Despite the attention of two defenders and the goalkeeper, James was able to force the ball home to spark celebrations of relief and joy, both in the crowd and on the pitch.

The USVI weren’t done though and Bria Goldman, Kaza and Kaza Amlack remained a threat.

Time and time again they created dangerous moves down both flanks only to find Foreman resolute in defense, playing a true captain’s role and keeping the defense tight.

However, even though everyone played their part there can be no doubting how much Fahie deserved her place on the score sheet. Nullified during the first game by playing too deep, she came into her own in this encounter and rounded off a fine performance with the coolest penalty kick ever seen in the BVI.

Not only did she step up and take responsibility for the kick once Weekes had been brought down in the box, but as she admitted afterwards it was her first penalty attempt in match play or even practice.

The crowd went silent as Flax and Gordon discussed who should take it. Foreman also joined in the debate, even though Weekes who had been fouled as she attempted to shoot on goal was lying prone still being treated for the knock she received. Fahie, though, was determined. She claimed the ball, took a step back and calmly fired home to the keeper’s right to make it two nil.

“I felt scared, it’s my first penalty and I’ve never scored on before. I had practiced with a short run up and after asking the usual spot kickers, Murcella and Sapphire to let me take it, was very happy to score.”

It was also Fahie’s first goal in the National team shirt.

In the build up to the penalty, Weekes had shown her speed and strength to outpace the last line of defense before being fouled by Naomi Brown and was to play no further part in the game, but she like so many of her team mates had already done their part in restoring pride and passion to the Women’s game in the BVI.