field, with the presence of North Village goalkeeper Dwayne Adams between the `sticks' a major bone of contention.

Adams and Village stood in defiance of a ban imposed on the 'keeper by the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) in accordance with a newly-enacted FIFA rule due to his failure to attend two training sessions for the Olympic team nearly two weeks ago.

An official letter was sent to the North Shore club notifying them of the 21-year-old's playing status, but Village appear bent on testing its validity.

It has been rumoured that Village are of the opinion that the suspension related only to Adams' position on the national squad and not domestic competitions. It was further asserted that it was the coaching director, Burkhard Ziese, who instituted the ban and not the BFA and thus Adams was eligible to perform.

However, during recent interviews, Ziese steadfastly denied that he had personally banned Adams, but was simply carrying out the rules mandated by the world governing body as to the required commitment of players to national squad duty.

Ziese was present at yesterday's match and said that a meeting had been held on Friday where it was noted that the ban remained. As for the current situation and what might happen to Adams he said that "it rests in the hands of the disciplinary committee.

BFA administrative assistant David Sabir yesterday backed Ziese, saying: "The suspension is valid until such time that it is released and the association has made no such release.

"The matter will be forwarded to the executive for them to decide on what action, if any, will be taken.'' It may be deemed that Village would have to surrender the points gained from yesterday's match for fielding an ineligible player and Adams could also come in for additional punitive measures.

Meanwhile, Town played the match under protest and it was learned that a letter had already been drafted and is to be forwarded to the BFA today.

Even without the Adams issue, the match yesterday promised to keep the BFA disciplinary committee busy as there were three sendings-off, with coach Andrew Bascome along with reserves Cal Dill, Jr. and Ricky Hill ejected from the bench by referee John Bento for repeated encroachment on the field of play.

Ironically, Village could have well done without a goalkeeper at all as Town hardly threatened and counted just one shot on goal and even that bounded off the crossbar.

It was a dominating performance by the visitors who outhustled the home side in ending their unbeaten streak at 16 games.

College student Damon Wade gave Village the lead 17 minutes into the first half when he managed to slip behind the defence and take advantage of Cymande Davis' hesitation in coming off his line to slot the ball home.

In the 35th minute, it was skipper Elliott Jennings' turn to produce the goods when he got on the end of a free kick floated into the Town penalty area and directed the ball goalward through a maze of defenders.

It was during this period when Bascome, Hill and Dill were sent packing as the tension level grew with the issue of the Coca-Cola First Division title a major concern.

The second half witnessed Town showing more urgency, but unable to crack a tight five-man defence employed by Village.

Centre-back Kentoine Jennings kept leading scorer Carlos Smith in check while defensive partners Treadwell Walker, Irving Romaine, Kacy Simons and Kevin Grant also played vital roles in maintaining a clean scoresheet.

The victory -- if allowed to stand -- placed Village within a point of Town with a single match remaining for each team next week. Town travel to St.

George's while Village entertain Southampton.

Dandy Town: C.Davis; W.Rudo, W.Campbell, T.Durham, L.Christopher; L.Furbert (P.Douglas, 66 mins), D.Boyles, K.Martin; P.Cann, D.Simons (W.Musson, 59 mins), C.Smith.

North Village: D.Adams; K.Grant, Ken.Jennings, I.Romaine, T.Walker, K.Simons; R.Edness, Kev.Jennings; E.Jennings, D.Wade, P.Clarke (S.Dill, 68 mins).

Referee: John Bento.

Men of the match: Kris Martin (Dandy Town); Kentoine Jennings (North Village).

THAT'S FAR ENOUGH -- Dandy Town stopper Wayne Campbell, left, makes certain Elliott Jennings does not get by in yesterday's big game at St. John's field.

Jennings eventually got on the scoresheet in North Village's 2-0 win.