North Village ensured that their trophy cabinet would not lay bare during the off-season as they brushed aside a talented Colts outfit to capture the Friendship Trophy with a 2-1 win at National Stadium last night.

The Red Devils were spurred on to victory largely on account of a virtuoso display by captain Elliott Jennings, who scored once in the first half, and was a mighty presence throughout the match.

Leonard Hypolite levelled things for Colts when he scored soon after the initial strike by Jennings, but their fate was sealed in the second half as defender Jahmar Samuels headed a Sean Dill cross into his own goal.

"This win really puts the icing on the cake for us in the second half (of the season),'' said an elated Village coach Joe Trott after the match. "It makes our season successful to win the trophy.

"It was just the determination that we wanted to win that earned it for us tonight...determination and guts.'' From the start it appeared that Village would sweep their opponents off the pitch as they surged forward in waves despite having to battle a severe headwind.

As early as the third minute they had a chance to score when goalkeeper Andre Hendrickson of Colts fumbled inside his penalty area and the ball fell for Kevin Jennings, who somehow side-footed wide of an empty goal.

However, there would be anxious moments for the Village defence in the 12th minute.

Midfielder Mark Ray was the instigator of the threat, having a fierce shot from eight yards deflected over the crossbar and the resultant corner by Craig Smith skimmed over the bar.

Three minutes later at the other end Hendrickson was quick to react to a goal-bound header by Kentoine Jennings off a right-wing corner by Rahji Edness.

Village appeared in full flow at this point with the Jennings trio involved in most of their attacks, exposing glaring weaknesses in the opposing defence.

Meanwhile, the Village back four did a more than adequate job of shutting down the vaunted attack of Colts, including Smith, Quincey Aberdeen and league leading goal-scorer Ellington Weldon.

Hence it was no surprise when Elliott put them in front after 21 minutes, connecting with a glancing header off a cross from the left by Dill that sailed past Hendrickson into the right-hand corner of the goal.

Colts though showed some resiliency as they stormed back and five minutes later were back on even terms.

Hypolite benefitted from poor defending on the part of Village, which allowed a low corner kick by Ray to roll near the goalmouth. Hypolite bundled the ball over the line from a few yards out through a maze of players.

Play dwindled heading toward the half although shouts for a penalty came from the Colts bench after Aberdeen looked to have been brought down in the area by Kevin Grant. Referee Gregory Belboda chose to ignore the pleas.

A similar script followed for the second half with Village fast out of the gate, pinning Colts on their heels. And before they could react to the barrage Colts once again found themselves trailing.

Just two minutes had passed when Dill floated in a cross from the right side.

Samuels challenged for the ball but had it skim off the top of his head by a bewildered Hendrickson and both looked on helplessly as it nestled in the back of the net.

Colts had opportunities to equalise as a long-range effort by Aberdeen struck the crossbar a minute later and then Grant cleared a Weldon blast off the line.

In the end it was just not meant to be for the young Colts who will have a chance at redemption when they face Boulevard in the FA Cup final in two weeks.

North Village: D.Adams; W.Augustus, S.Smith, M.Hansey, K.Grant; Kev.Jennings, Ken.Jennings, R.Edness; E.Jennings, P.Simmons (S.Hewey, 81 mins), S.Dill.

Devonshire Colts: A.Hendrickson; A.Wilson, C.Wright, D.Wright, J.Samuels (L.Symonds, 53 mins); D.Williams, L.Hypolite (K.Smith, 63 mins), M.Ray; E.Weldon, C.Smith, Q.Aberdeen.

Referee: Gregory Belboda Men of the match: Elliott Jennings (North Village); Mark Ray (Devonshire Colts).

MIDFIELD TUSSLE -- Rahji Edness, left, of North Village attempts to hold off Devonshire Colts' Mark Ray in last night's final at National Stadium.