after earning a victory over Devonshire Colts in the replay of the Crystal Palace Youth Cup.

Vernon Phillips stood as the hero with his seventh-minute strike which proved decisive on the night.

While not matching Sunday's contest at National Stadium in terms of pomp, the glitter remained as witnessed by the large grins etched across the faces of the young Red Devils.

Conversely, the downcast Colts were left to ponder several lost opportunities.

The goal that created the difference came on Village's first attack and was a result of a fine move started in midfield by Kaiwon Dill.

Dill earned possession in the middle of the park before breaking forward and releasing team-mate Winston Paynter inside the left side of the penalty area.

Paynter swiftly turned the ball inside where a lurking Phillips calmly placed the ball into the low left corner past goalkeeper Thomas Smith.

Colts were denied two goals in the space of 10 minutes, failing to take advantage of a pair of defensive blunders by the Village defence.

In the 10th minute a defender failed to clear a free-kick allowing the ball to roll to Damon Ming, but Ming was made to watch in disgust as Don Vickers fell to his left to snare the effort.

Sri Wilson, although small in stature, was able to control midfield with his silky skills and most attacks were sparked by the ball bounding off either boot. His calm style was complemented by Phillips who was tireless in attack.

At the back David Thomas marshalled his troops to blunt the challenge offered by Colts' normally potent front-line of Ming, Tariq White and Kiare Hollis.

Colts came out seemingly rejuvenated following the break as they quickly set about sorting the matter of an equaliser.

Hollis muffed a perfect opportunity in the 46th minute when he booted White's cross high over the cross from barely six yards.

White began to come more into his own and in the 58th minute produced some fanciful footwork to wrong-foot two defenders only to have Vickers in position to collect his shot from just inside the penalty area.

At the other end Haile Outerbridge was guilty of making one touch too many during a breakaway attempt that allowed the goalkeeper to clear.

Colts offered a late surge as they realised the impending doom, but were unable to make the vital breakthrough with Village resolute in their desire for the gleaming silver trophy.

Devonshire Colts: T.Smith; D.Zuill, D.Ming, A.Smith, H.Burrows, T.White, W.Raynor (E.Bean 45mins), K.Hollis (W.Christopher 66mins), T.Lightbourne.

North Village: D.Vickers; K.Dill, D.Thomas, U-Roy Fox, D.Jennings, W.Paynter, S.Wilson, V.Tankard, K.Dill (K.Hollis 30mins), V.Phillips, H.Outerbridge.

IN FULL FLIGHT -- Colts' winger Tariq White, right, chases David Thomas of North Village while a team-mate looks on during the first half of yesterday's match.