Somerset Eagles 3

North Village 4

Sammy DeGraff snatched a late winner to give visiting Village a deserved three points in a Premier Division contest at White Hill that appeared as though the two teams would be splitting the points.

Sadly Eagles had to leave the game empty-handed after giving a spirited display which saw them go ahead three times only to relinquish the lead to a team full of explosive striking potential with DeGraff and Ralph Bean Jr. leading the way with two goals apiece.

The league season opener provided fans with some excitement, raising the level of play considerably high so early at a time when fitness was obviously not at a maximum and the hot temperature making it quite a chore for players of both teams to master.

Yet they treated those attending with a feast of goals, Bermuda Football Association recently elected president Larry Mussenden among those who had to be satisfied with the way in which the teams battled for supremacy by not being shy of venturing forward in search of goals.

DeGraff's decider knocked the stuffing out of a tiring Eagles team, the goal coming after 89 minutes when a lapse in the Eagles' defence enabled the lanky midfielder to steer the ball home from 14 yards.

It marked the fourth time Village had retaliated after falling behind.

Eagles shook their opponents early when Shakir Smith blasted the home side ahead after four minutes with a fine goal – something which must have been to the satisfaction of new coach Marlon Rojas who looked confident and competent on their bench in place of the departed Kenny Thompson.

However the goal came three minutes later Ralph Bean cause Eagles a scare when his angled shot from 14 yards sailed inches wide of the far post.

Eagles attempted to double their lead after nine minutes when diminutive right winger Daniel Andrade forced Jason Williams in the Village goal to push his fierce shot from 17 yards for a corner.

But Village always displayed their shooting potential and threatened to score with some spirited counterattacks for the remainder of the half.

The inevitable equaliser came from Bean after 15 minutes when he sent home a pile-driver from 24 yards that stunned everybody in attendance.

Shortly aftewards though Eagles restored their lead when Darin Dowling smartly leapt above the defence to smartly head home a corner taken by Shakir Smith.

But like a fighting tiger Shaun Goater's men regained their momentum and forced Eagles to defend, nearly making it 2-2 after 25 minutes when fullback Devrae Tankard watched in agony as Winslow Williams in the Eagles goal pushed his fierce shot from just outside the penalty box wide for a corner.

However the most stunning play of the game was to lead to Eagles' going two-goals up, Village's defence being caught in a tangle and Troy Tucker greatfully took possession and advance to stroke the ball home unchallenged after 28 minutes.

But the trend of play continued with Village, never yielding to their opponents, fighting back with a vengeance before the half. Tyrone Burgess headed a Ralph Bean corner just wide of the post after 40 minutes before DeGraffe got their second from the penalty spot after Wharail Tucker pulled down substitute Jamaul Boyles.

The second half started with Ralph Bean testing Williams in the Eagles goal with a tricky lob that the 'keeper brilliantly tipped over, but Eagles were to hit back with Dowling poorly heading a Shakir Smith cross over from just six yards.

With Eagles tiring a Village goal always seemed likely but before Bean tied it up Burgess drilled a 16-yarder at Williams in the Eagles goal who sensationally palmed it away, 30 seconds later during a Village prolonged assault Williams was alert to tip Bean over from just inside the box.

But Village realised that constant pressure would soon bring their dividends and it came after 62 minutes when Bean and deGraffe teamed up with the former getting their third goal.

With the scores tied and precious little time left though tiring Eagles seemed capable of holding on for a share of the points, but DeGraff had other ideas and his perseverence saw him take advantage of a lapse in defence to stroke home the clincher.

Somerset Eagles: W.Williams, A.Rocker, J.Bather, W.Tucker (D.Brunson, 78), A.Lambert; M.Ming (D.Swan, 30), T.Tucker, Tam.Tucker (L.Landy (65 min), D.Dowling, D.Andrade, S.Smith. Substitutes not used: L.Burch, K.Brown, E.Greenwood, R.Williams.

Goals: Bean (2), DeGraff (2)

North Village: J.Williams, T.Manders, J.Sousa (T.Watson, 45), K.Dill, D.Tankard; D.DeGraff, J.Jennings, R.Bean, T.Burgess (S.Jennings, 85), J.Lee, K.Dill (J.Boyles, 34).

Substitutes not used: A.Lee, M.Swan, K.Arruda.

Goals: S.Smith, D.Dowling, T.Tucker

Man of the match: R.Bean (Village).Referee: L. Raynor