North Village 2 Boulevard Blazers 1

Controversy marred North Village’s come-from-behind victory over Boulevard at Bernard Park yesterday.

The match’s flashpoint arrived in the 62nd minute when Pierre Smith, the Village forward, cancelled out TiaeVince Douglas’s first-half strike.

Village won a throw-in deep inside Boulevard’s half which referee Anthony Francis allowed to be taken despite Kamali Davis writhing on the ground with cramp.

Smith pounced on Jonathan Briers’s cross at the back post from the ensuing throw-in to level and prompt a lengthy delay as Boulevard’s players argued in vain with the match officials.

“I just think it was unfair of Village and the referee to see the man down and let play go on,” Shane Powell, the Boulevard president, said.

“I think it was a bad call and the major turning point in the match. My players played with a lot of heart and intensity and controlled the tempo up until that point.”

Substitute Akim Johnston scored a late winner for Village after a goalkeeping error by Ronniko Burchall.

It was a cruel twist of fate for Boulevard who, up until Smith’s disputed goal, seemed on course for a first win of the season in all competitions.

After a sluggish start Village started stringing together passes and creating space, striker Shayne Hollis shooting tamely at Burchall and midfielder Thomas Watson dragging his shot wide.

Boulevard spurned a golden opportunity during a good spell when the unmarked Jakio Williams headed Dunn-Ya Taylor’s corner over the bar.

The goal that Boulevard’s relentless pressure deserved finally arrived a minute before half-time when winger Douglas scored after latching onto Aaron Foggo’s long diagonal pass with a left-footed shot.

Douglas’s sublime strike was the first goal Village have conceded in three outings so far this season.

Boulevard picked up where they left off at the start of the second half with Aldonte Smith heading Davis’s corner just wide.

Boulevard maintained a slight edge over the home side until just past the hour mark when Smith drew level with an opportunistic strike.

A player short with Davis on the ground, the Boulevard defence failed to deal with Briers’s cross which was met by the unmarked Smith.

Boulevard lost their shape as fatigue set in and Village took full advantage. Bean had a shot saved by Burchall after being played through by Briers and then dragged another effort wide.

Village completed the comeback six minutes from time when Johnston’s 40-yard cross was spilt over the line by Burchall.

“It definitely wasn’t the kind of victory we wanted,” Bean, the Village captain, said. “However, three points is three points.”

SCORERS

North Village

Smith 64, Johnston 84

Boulevard Blazers

Douglas 44

TEAMS

North Village (4-5-1): T Bell — J Thomas, P Castle (sub: T Fray, 61), T Durham, K Knights — D Daniels, J Briers, T Watson (sub: L Dill, 71), P Smith (sub: A Johnston, 71), K Bean — S Hollis. Booked: Durham. Substitutes not used: Z Hendrickson, C Caisey

Boulevard (4-3-3): R Burchall — Z Stovell, J Williams, A Foggo, A Famous — K Davis (sub: J Samuels, 70), N Smith (sub: T Butterfield, 77), D Taylor — T Douglas, A Smith (sub: T Ryan, 81), K Easton. Booked: N Smith. Substitutes not used: Y Darrell, O Cox, J Shakir

Referee: A Francis