Dandy Town 0 North Village 1

A goal by winger Che’Kai Caisey just 17 seconds into the second half proved to be the winner as injury-hit North Village hung on for three points at St John’s Field yesterday.

Village had just made a substitution at the start of the half, bringing on Zenike Hendrickson for experienced striker Keith Jennings. Soon after the restart, Village broke through on the right side before Caisey drove his shot past goalkeeper Troy Hall Jr.

The goal set the stage for a more exciting second half as Town fought back in a desperate attempt to protect their unbeaten home record this season.

“When you come out and meet rivals like Dandy Town you have to keep your shape and be disciplined,” said Village coach Randy Spence, who took over the team this season when Devarr Boyles returned to coach Town. “Keith [Jennings] set the tempo of the game and then we brought the youngsters in.

“I take my hat off to my youngster Che’ Kai, he shows tremendous ability and effort, even in training. It was a must-win situation and we rose to the pressure.”

Town had the first chance to open the scoring when Oneko Lowe cut in from the right and hit a left-footed shot from the edge of the box that was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Tahj Bell. A minute later Village responded with a free kick from 25 yards by Jennings going just wide.

Few clear-cut first half chances were created after that, with the home team suffering a setback when Lowe took a knock on the ankle from a challenge from full back Kyler Knights and had to be replaced. Lowe spent the rest of the half on the sideline with ice on the foot. Town missed the threat of Lowe, although they did go close again when Jahnazae Swan crossed from the left, the ball was deflected before goalkeeper Bell cleared the danger at the far post as Kwame Steede pounced. The game opened up after Town were stunned by Caisey’s goal, the home team immediately stepping up a gear.

They made a double substitution midway through the half with Omar Wilson and Temiko Wilson coming on for Swan and Nizigh Spence, the first half replacement for the injured Lowe.

Pierre Smith, the Village captain, had a good chance to double the lead but he shot over the top after the ball was laid back for him by Jonathan Briers.

Town had three good chances in the dying minutes to snatch a point, with Temiko Wilson glancing a weak header straight at the goalkeeper. Damon Ming then cut in from the left and unleashed a shot that Bell pushed over the bar.

The best chance fell to K’wonde Lathan who headed wide from after the ball had been knocked back. Three minutes into added time saw another chance fall to Town, this time when a shot from Lynn Emery (formerly known as Tucker) took an awkward bounce before goalkeeper Bell kept it out at the near post.

TEAMS

Dandy Town (4-5-1): T Hall — E Blankendal, L Emery, T Manders, K Lathan — K Steede, D Ming, J Swan (sub: O Wilson, 66min), J Richardson-Martin, O Lowe (sub: N Spence, 23); (sub: T Wilson, 66) — A Simmons. Substitutes not used: Z Burchall, G Liburd, T Gibbons. Booked: Richardson-Martin.

North Village (4-3-3): T Bell — K Knights, T Fray, P Castle (sub: K Evans, 86), J Thomas — J Briers, G Butterfield (sub: K Smith, 90+4), T Wilson — K Jennings (sub: Zanike Hendrickson, 46), P Smith, C Caisey. Substitute not used: Zaniko Hendrickson.

Referee: G Swainson.