McTair James, opens the scoring with a low drive despite the attentions of two Old Madrid defenders. Photo credit: Charlie Jackson/VINO

James made several tremendous saves to stop the Islanders running up a cricket score in the second half. Photo credit: Charlie Jackson/VINO

Nnao Ottley scored in either half and also had chances to complete a hat trick but found Hanif James in good form in the Old Madrid goal. Photo credit: Charlie Jackson/VINO

Although both teams were unbeaten before the game, it was never going to be one for the purists as there is a huge gulf in terms of speed, skill and fitness between the two sides. The lofty position of Old Madrid probably having more to do with the two-group format of this year’s National League than any strengthening of playing staff, as the BVIFA look to establish a two-tier system for 2013/14.

Of little doubt too is that Old Madrid invariably play better when they aren’t reduced to shouting at Officials for any perceived misdemeanor and indeed as is more often themselves for a misplaced past or lack of movement.

That they forgot the principles of teamwork and concentration early in the first half, did little to enhance a game that they had to be at their best for to even expect a point.

Luckily though at least for a beleaguered defense the Islanders were a little too pedantic in their build up play and also showed their usual profligacy in front of goal, struggling to find the target on two or three occasions inside the first 10 minutes.

Alex Green proving the most wasteful with a 22 yard free kick which he miscued well wide of the target.

A couple of blocked shots and a fine save from Hanif James later and the man who is quickly filling the boots of Henroy Mitchell, McTair James, opened the scoring with an accurate low drive despite the close proximity of two defenders. His shot giving “Size” no chance of a save.

The keeper also made a diving save from a headed effort from Odaine Reid stopped another goal bound effort from James and then down the other end Dion Clarke showed great trickery to skip past Green inside the Islanders penalty box. The whistle went and for a few anxious seconds both the crowd and the Islanders expected a penalty. Instead though, the referee booked Clarke for diving and Old Madrid’s best hopes of a first half equalizer disappeared.

Almost immediately James hit a cross shot that Reid just couldn’t get a touch on with the goal begging and Nano Ottley added insult to injury when, with the Old Madrid defenders backing off, he slammed an unstoppable volley past James from 25 yards to double the lead.

A half time rain storm which spread into the first ten minutes of the second half made an already difficult pitch into a much more tricky surface for ball control, but with Old Madrid visibly tiring, the Islanders completely controlled the game and it was Ottley who made it 3-0 with his second goal.

James was pretty much all that stood between the Islanders and a double digit score line, but even he was powerless to stop the 4^th from the head of number 17.

Assistant Coach, Lenroy Henry commented “it was a very good display of football by us, Old Madrid came out running and played the best they could, but they got tired and we capitalized.”