ISL All-Stars 3

MISL All-Stars 8

Storm striker Domico Coddington was pleased to be given the chance to test his mettle against the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) yesterday, with the visitors emerging 8-3 winners over the Island Soccer League (ISL) All-Stars at the National Sports Centre.

Coddington, the league's MVP, leading scorer and member of the champions Storm, couldn't stop the All-Stars going down to the defeat, but was clear on the difference between the two sides.

"The result wasn't what we wanted but it was really about the achievements of the players and rewarding them for their hard work," said Coddington. "But we had a plan and stuck to it for the first half and we were in the match at the half.

"In the second half we went away from the plan and that's what happens when you play against professionals and don't stick to the plan, you will be made to pay for your mistakes.

"It was a good experience for everyone to play against them and to see what they are about and the intensity and knowledge they bring not only to the game, but also during the game and how they adjusted to situations."

On a night were Coddington was awarded his honours along with Coach of the Year Keishon Smith, Defender of the Year Kaiya Darrell, and Goalkeeper of the Year Troy Hall, it was the Americans who stole the spotlight from their Bermudian counterparts.

A hat-trick from Moreiro Hewrton, and solo efforts from Vahid Assadpour, Matt Stewart, Zach Wilkes, Ricardinho, and Bermuda's own John Barry Nusum, who skippered the team in his first match since knee surgery, were more then enough to gave the side the win, although they were made to fight for everything in the opening stages.

Vincent Minors jr. equalised after Hewrton opened the scoring, and Coddington gave the hosts a 2-1 before the wheels fell off. Jahron Dickinson got the third ISL goal with the match beyond doubt.

For Coddington, it was a fresh experience at something in the sport, an experience he is pleased with. "Playing in the ISL was something different but I enjoyed it because it was something new to be apart of, with this being my first season," he said.

"Our whole team were pretty much newcomers, so to do what we did in winning the title was fantastic. Obviously winning is always good, but to come out and just enjoy the league was fun."

With the ISL being a potential stepping stone for opportunities to get into the MISL, Coddington is hopeful he can get the chance that Antwan Russell, Angelo Simmons, Coolridge Durham, Dennis Russell and Logan Alexander got.

"Hopefully with my performances I have put in I can get out there and prove my worth because the opportunity has eluded me for so many years," he said. "This may be my last chance in getting the opportunity to play abroad, so we will see if something comes up and if it does I will have to be ready to make the most of it."