Exciting Start to the 2025–2026 National Bank Group/SKNFA Premier League Season
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts & Nevis — The 2025–2026 National Bank Group/SKNFA Premier League kicked off on Saturday November 22 with a thrilling opening weekend, showcasing strong performances, new coaching debuts, and an impressive 22 goals scored across five matches. Rams Village Superstars, SL Horsford St. Paul’s United, SOL IAS Conaree FC and MFCR Old Road United each secured victories, while newly promoted TGE Dieppe Bay Eagles and St. Kitts Concrete Masters Sandy Point FC battled to the season’s first draw.
WEEKEND OPENER: DIEPPE BAY EAGLES VS. SANDY POINT FC
The season officially began on Saturday with a tightly contested scoreless draw between Dieppe Bay Eagles and Sandy Point FC. Both teams featured new head coaches this season.
Dieppe Bay’s new coach, Al Richards, formerly of Conaree FC, praised his squad’s effort:
“Let me say thanks to my guys, my new team, Dieppe Bay Eagles… I think the guys had a good performance. I must say, they’re a good young team, very active and athletic; so I’m very proud of them.”
Sandy Point’s new coach, Vaughn Patrick, was equally encouraged:
“It’s the first game. I didn’t expect a lot… it’s just to come out and play and make sure that we don’t lose and that we go back with a point. The season’s new… but we had some positives.”
VILLAGE SUPERSTARS EDGE NEWLY PROMOTED NEWTOWN UNITED 3–2
Saturday’s second match delivered fireworks. Newly promoted Honda Newtown United took a 2–0 lead with early goals from Jean-Wolf Edouard (3rd) and Devaughn Mills (18th). But Rams Village Superstars responded with determination.
Goals from Carlos Bertie (29th) and G’Vaune Amory (36th) pulled them level before Bertie sealed the comeback with the winning strike in the 74th minute, securing a 3–2 victory.
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS DOMINATE WITH 5–0 WIN
The night concluded with a commanding performance from defending champions St. Paul’s United, who surged to a 4–0 halftime lead before finishing 5–0 against Azul Cayon Rockets.
New signing Dequan Hamilton stole the spotlight with four goals, while Nequan Phipps added a fifth in the 53rd minute. St. Paul’s completed the match with 10 men after Ordell Fleming received a red card in the 65th minute.
St. Paul’s Assistant coach Jamal Jeffers said the result reflected the team’s determination to overcome their six-point deduction, imposed for a disciplinary breach earlier this month:
“We know we are six points behind, so we definitely have to get another win, clear those six points, and then we can start the season.”
Both St. Paul’s United and Rans Village were docked six points following sanctions related to an earlier altercation during the President’s Cup.
SUNDAY ACTION: CONAREE AND OLD ROAD SHINE
Sunday, November 23, saw two more high-energy matchups.
SOL IAS Conaree FC defeated Tropical Blossom Hotspring Bath United 3–1, with Tijanie Fahie scoring in the 12th minute and again deep into stoppage time. Errol O’Loughlin added another in the 77th minute, while Bath United’s Cassius Mason provided their sole response.
The final match of the weekend delivered a goal-fest as Old Road overpowered Development Bank St. Peter’s FC 7–2.
- Tiquany Williams recorded a spectacular hat-trick (41st, 45th, 85th)
- Shevene Boston scored twice
- Nickeel Pemberton and Nequan Brown added one each
St. Peter’s goals came from Dequan Joseph, who netted both for his team.
LOOKING AHEAD
The 2025–2026 National Bank Group SKNFA Premier League resumes this coming weekend, promising another round of excitement as teams continue to stake their early-season claims.
