North Village 2 St David’s 0

North Village Rams climbed into third place in the Premier Division after a deserved victory over rock-bottom St David’s at Bernard Park yesterday.

Both teams had a player sent off in a bad-tempered second half, with Allan Douglas Jr, the St David’s striker, given his marching orders for retaliation and Jahleel Crockwell, the North Village defender, dismissed for a reckless challenge.

Goals either side of half-time from Pierre Smith and substitute striker Jahquan Smith-DeShields earned Village a relatively comfortable win, which keeps them within touching distance of Dandy Town, the league leaders, who are three points ahead.

Ralph Bean, the Village coach, admitted that it was imperative his side defeated St David’s and capitalised on the draw between fellow title contenders Devonshire Cougars and Somerset Trojans on Friday night.

“We knew today was an important game for us in terms of the title race and I’m pleased to have picked up the three points,” Bean said.

“We’re very much in the title race despite our inconsistency. Thankfully, the other [title contenders] have also been inconsistent and that’s why we’re still within touching distance. We should have probably won by a far greater margin today. If we’d taken our chances, it could been about 6-0.”

Had it not been for the goalkeeping heroics of Corey Richardson, who reeled off a hatful of smart saves throughout the match, Village could have had the game wrapped up by the interval. The St David’s goalkeeper denied Keishen Bean, who was substituted before half-time with a dead leg, with a fine double save before thwarting forward Pierre Smith with a point-blank block.

Smith made amends for that miss soon after when he headed home Thomas Watson’s cross from deep on the half-hour. Village continued to carve open their opponents during a one-sided second half, with Jason Davis jinking his way through the heart of the St David’s backline before firing over the crossbar.

Taking advantage of some hesitant St David’s defending, Smith-DeShields then gave Village breathing space when he slid the ball past a helpless Richardson from close range on 53 minutes. The Rams had the ball in the net again moment later when substitute Takeyhi Walker tapped home after good work by Pierre Smith but was adjudged to have been in an offside position.

St David’s woes were then compounded when Douglas received a red card after losing his temper and kicking out at a Village defender in an off-the-ball incident.

There was more drama before the final whistle, with Jahron Dickinson volleying wide from difficult chance before team-mate Crockwell was shown a red card for a late challenge on Tareek Caisey, the St David’s striker, who headed against the crossbar late on.

Both sets of players had to be repeatedly separated after the game as scuffles broke out around the dugout area and, later, outside the dressing rooms.