Sugar Boys and VG United players trying to control the ball on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Photo: Mia Lennard/BVIFA

Sugar Boys Captain Derol Redhead moves the ball downfield. Photo: Mia Lennard/BVIFA

In an all-Virgin Gorda affair, Sugar Boys and VG United will go head to head in front of their home crowd when the final semi-final game of the Emmett Caines Knock Out Football Tournament is played at the Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground today, Sunday, October 1, 2023. Photo: BVIFA/File

Sugar Boys had received a bye to the semi-final but VG Utd (Pink) had to face a resurgent Old Madrid last Sunday, September 24, 2023, coming out 5 – 0 winners. Photo: BVIFA

The semifinal, played in front of a vociferous crowd over at the Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground on Sunday, October 1, 2023, was from start to finish and one for the ages, as first VG sprung into a two-goal lead at half time and then the Sugar Boys, stirred into action, fought back to level the game with just under ten nervous, frantic, end to end minutes left.

Bernard Cumberbatch had given Utd the lead in the 23^rd minute and that lead was doubled in the 41^st minute by Sheldon Toney. Sugar Boys responded by pulling a goal back through Alejandro Sanchez in the 54^th minute and levelled the game in the 85^th minute when Sanchez scored again.

Neither team though could find the winner and the game went to a penalty shootout.

‘Built for drama’

“We are certainly built for drama,” commented VG Utd Manager Jermain Abrams.

“The first half was very good and we took care of the ball well to go two up. In the second half the Sugar Boys made some adjustments and they controlled most of the possession, but we battled, created some opportunities, but more importantly showed great fortitude to come through a tough battle,” Abrams stated.

Thomas Albert ‘Manly’ made two saves in the shootout to secure his team’s passage into the final against One Love FC next Sunday.

“I was confident about the penalties,” stated Abrams.

He added that Albert is in superb form and “I had no doubt he would make some saves. Overall, the crowd enjoyed the tension, there were many supporting both teams who aren’t necessarily football fans but had come to support players from both teams who they work with, so it was great for them.”

The BVI Football Association (BVIFA) said full details on the plans for the final will be available later this week.

See previous article published October 1, 2023

Sugar Boys & VG United clash for final spot in Emmett Caines KO Cup

In an all-Virgin Gorda affair, Sugar Boys and VG United will go head to head in front of their home crowd when the final semi-final game of the Emmett Caines Knock Out Football Tournament is played at the Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground today, Sunday, October 1, 2023.

The winner will face Tortola’s One Love who drew the bye to the final.

Sugar Boys had received a bye to the semi-final but VG Utd had to face a resurgent Old Madrid last Sunday, September 24, 2023, coming out 5 – 0 winners.

The goal scorers for VG included two for Jaadon Quashie, two for Bernard Cumberbatch and one for Deshawn Richardson.

“It was a good game, our team played well, the plans are coming to fruition and the players gelling well for the season,“ noted Manager Jermain Abrams.

Mr Abrams also said he was pleased with his team’s defense.

“We have kept two shutouts and scored goals at the other end. The youngsters are really stepping up and we should be at full strength on Sunday, with some players back from holiday. We still have a few things to put in place, but we are looking forward to the derby against Sugar Boys.”

Kickoff time is 6:00 PM.