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Thursday, January 29, 2026
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Bermuda Under 17 Women Qualifying Numbers
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Bermuda’s Under-17 Women’s National team concluded their Group B qualifying campaign with a series of commanding performances that solidified their reputation as one of the region's rising powers. Despite finishing as runners-up to Panama on goal difference, Bermuda displayed a level of technical proficiency and offensive firepower that suggests a bright future for this young squad.
While they wait to see if they are one of the best second place finishers www.islandstats.com takes a look at the team and individual stats.
The statistics from their three-match run tell a story of dominance and efficiency. Bermuda recorded an impressive 36% goal conversion rate, finding the net 16 times from just 50 total shots. This clinical nature was underpinned by a sophisticated possession-based game, with the team completing 817 passes over the course of the tournament.
At the heart of this creative engine was Zelaye Showers, who acted as the primary distributor with a team-high 145 successful passes. Her ability to dictate the tempo from midfield allowed Bermuda's attacking duo to thrive. Milan Gibbons-Thomas emerged as one of the tournament's standout finishers, leading the Bermuda scoring charts with six goals, including a spectacular four-goal haul in the opening match against Suriname. She was expertly supported by Daley Outerbridge, who contributed four goals of her own, highlighted by a clinical hat-trick against Bonaire.
While the attack flourished, the defensive unit proved equally resilient under pressure. Goalkeeper Kyra Simmons was a pillar of strength between the posts, recording 15 crucial saves to keep Bermuda competitive in the high-stakes final showdown against Panama. The team's physical commitment was evident in the 28 fouls conceded, though this aggression occasionally boiled over, with Daley Outerbridge and Riley Khan each picking up two yellow cards during the campaign.
Bermuda now waits to see if their unbeaten record and significant goal difference will be enough to secure one of the two coveted best runner-up spots for the final round. Regardless of the final outcome, this campaign has set a new benchmark for youth development on the island.
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Wednesday, January 28, 2026
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Brunson & QPR Fall to Brighton in FA Youth Cup 4th Round
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Kalen Brunson and his Queens Park Rangers Under-18 teammates were eliminated from the FA Youth Cup following a 2-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the TSG Training Centre.
Despite a spirited second-half response from the young Rangers side, two early goals from the visitors proved decisive in a match played under testing conditions of torrential rain and driving wind.
Brighton & Hove Albion wasted little time asserting their dominance, breaking the deadlock after just two minutes when Henry Kasvosve jinxed past two defenders before firing a low effort into the bottom corner. The lead was doubled in the 18th minute as Tyler Silsby cut inside from the left flank and curled an audacious shot into the far corner via the post.
Bermudian winger Brunson, who has enjoyed a rapid ascent through the R's academy ranks this season, was introduced as a 60th-minute substitute for Phil Sanyaolu as manager Tom Charles looked to inject more attacking impetus. Brunson’s arrival coincided with Rangers' most competitive spell, which saw Cory Adjetey-Brew have a 25-yard free-kick tipped onto the bar and Leon Scarlett strike the woodwork on the rebound.
Despite the relentless late pressure from the hosts, including a goal-bound header from Fraser Neill that was superbly saved, Brighton’s backline held firm. The victory sees the Category 1 visitors progress to the fifth round to face either West Bromwich Albion or Sunderland, while QPR must now refocus on league action with a trip to Watford this Saturday.
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Friday, January 23, 2026
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Addicks strike late to deny Brunson & QPR Development Squad
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Kalen Brunson and his Queens Park Rangers Development Squad teammates were forced to settle for a point after Charlton Athletic staged a second-half comeback at the TSG Training Centre.
Rangers appeared to be in total control during a dominant opening period, racing into a two-goal lead within the first 16 minutes. The breakthrough came after just five minutes when Leon Scarlett’s strike took a wicked deflection to wrong-foot the Charlton goalkeeper. The lead was doubled ten minutes later as the young R's clinical start left the Addicks reeling.
However, Charlton found a vital lifeline just before the interval. Reuben Amissah capitalised on a defensive lapse to pull a goal back in the 41st minute, ensuring the visitors went into the break with renewed momentum.
The second half proved to be a more cagey affair as QPR looked to manage their narrow advantage. Brunson, who recently featured for the Bermuda Under-17 national team, was part of a midfield unit that worked tirelessly to contain Charlton's growing threat.
The pressure eventually told in the 83rd minute. Substitute Ellis McMillan, who had only been on the pitch for eight minutes, found space in the area to fire home the equaliser and share the spoils.
The result leaves QPR's Under-21 side searching for more defensive stability as they continue their Professional Development League campaign. The young R's are back in action next Tuesday for a high-profile West London derby against Brentford.
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Wednesday, January 21, 2026
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Luton edge Grant & Gillingham in Youth Semi-Final Heartbreak
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 Nayan Grant and his Gillingham Under-18 teammates saw their cup dreams dashed as they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Luton Town in the Youth Alliance Cup semi-final.
In a high-stakes encounter at the Sheppey Grounds, the young Gills were hoping to secure a place in the final of the prestigious academy competition. However, despite a spirited performance, it was the Hatters who managed to find the decisive edge to advance.
Gillingham, spurred on by the presence of Bermudian international Nayan Grant at right-back, started the match with plenty of intent. Grant, who has been a consistent performer for the academy side this season, was instrumental in several early attacking moves, using his pace to stretch the Luton defence.
The contest was a cagey affair for much of the first half, with both sides cautious of making a mistake on such a significant stage. Luton broke the deadlock mid-way through the first period, capitalising on a moment of hesitation in the Gillingham box.
The Gills responded well after the interval, mounting a series of sustained attacks that eventually forced an equaliser. However, with the game seemingly destined for extra time, Luton struck a late second goal to reclaim the lead.
Despite a frantic final ten minutes, which saw Grant deliver several dangerous crosses into the area, the Luton backline held firm. The final whistle brought disappointment for the home side, whose impressive cup run comes to an end just one step away from the grand finale.
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Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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Jimenez & Hibs U19 Pass Kilmarnock on League Return
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Logan Jimenez and his Hibernian Under-19 teammates made a triumphant return to CAS Elite Youth League action, grinding out a 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
The victory was particularly sweet for the Edinburgh side, who were competing in their first league fixture in over three months. Fixture congestion had kept the young Hibees away from domestic league duties since mid-October, with the squad instead navigating a grueling schedule across the UEFA Youth League, the Scottish Youth Cup, and the KDM Evolution Trophy.
Despite the extended layoff from league play, Hibs showed little sign of fatigue in East Ayrshire. In a tightly contested affair, Jay Gallacher proved to be the difference-maker, netting the only goal of the game to ensure all three points headed back to Easter Road.
Jimenez, the Bermudian forward who has become a key figure in the Hibs youth setup, was instrumental in stretching the Kilmarnock defense throughout the ninety minutes. His link-up play and physical presence allowed the visitors to maintain pressure during a cagey second half where Kilmarnock threatened an equalizer.
The hiatus from the CAS Elite Youth League was a direct result of Hibs' success on multiple fronts. Their continental journey in the UEFA Youth League included a dominant 4-0 aggregate win over Kosovo’s 2 Korriku before a spirited narrow exit at the hands of Dynamo Kyiv in December.
With the midweek victory, Hibernian move back into the upper echelons of the CAS Elite Youth League standings. The challenge for Jimenez and his teammates now lies in managing their games in hand as they look to reel in current pacesetters Celtic and Rangers.
Hibs will have little time to rest, however, as they prepare for a swift turnaround with another league fixture scheduled for the coming weekend. For Jimenez, the priority remains clear: maintaining the domestic form that has kept Hibs in the hunt for a historic youth treble.
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