A penalty converted by acting skipper Derek Bell after 26 minutes proved to be enough to steer North Village to victory over Southampton in a rather undistinguished Friendship Trophy game at Somerset CC last night.

Bell was called on to take the spot kick after defender Pernell Brangman brought down hard-working forward Tillman Darrell from behind when North Village had their opponents under intense pressure.

Until the goal North Village was the sharper team but their overall performance was still far below expectations while Southampton laboured throughout the first half and seldom accomplished anything up front.

While the speed of Darrell and striker Sean Dill often pinned down the defence, Southampton often looked inept going forward and were confined to just one chance when Ross Lambe lobbed a ball just over the bar after 35 minutes.

After a lacklustre opening half play improved dramatically with Southampton showing some glitter early in the second half with Lambe forcing full-back Arthur Simons to clear a ball off the goal line after 47 minutes. Five minutes later Jason Raynor blasted over the bar from 16 yards.

But North Village, who played with five changes to Sunday's line-up, came back with momentum and matched their opponents for the remainder of the game with Keith Jennings hitting the post from 15 yards after 60 minutes and Randy Darrell in the Southampton goal advancing to block shots from veteran midfield player Eugene Simmons and Jennings.

Substitute Brenton Harris brought the crowd alive with a blistering left-footed drive from 16 yards after 85 minutes for Southampton but his effort sailed just wide of the post.

Southampton had another chance also but Carlyle Crockwell in the North Village goal did well to save a shot from Olin Jones taken just inside the penalty box.

Southampton: R.Darrell; R.Belboda, D.Charles, T.Jones, P.Brangman; J.Burgess, O.Jones, L.Seymour; R.Lambe (M.Raynor, 80 min), J.Raynor, M.Higgs (B.Harris, 68 min).

North Village: C.Crockwell; C.Simons, D.Bell, I.Romaine, A.Simons; R.Edness, Keith Jennings, E.Simmons; T.Darrell, S.Dill (D.Hewey, 86 min), T.Smith.

Referee: Peter Sousa.

Men of the match: Arthur Simons (North Village); Thomas Jones (Southampton).

Port Royal 1, Prospect 0 Veteran midfield player Ricky Brangman hammered home the lone goal from just outside the penalty box after 20 minutes to seal victory for Port Royal in this Shield match. Favourites Prospect battled back for the equaliser but time after time their forwards found it difficult to break through a formidable Port Royal defence which was marshalled well by centre-halves Bill Tatem and Brian Brangman.

Port Royal's attack was also shut out later, thanks to the fine work of centre-half Clifford Roberts.

The Friendship and Shield matches postponed twice last week have been rescheduled for tomorrow night at BAA field. Paget play Wolves in the Shield contest at 7.00 with St. David's meeting Vasco in the Friendship at 9.00.

A training session will be held this evening at 6.00 at St. John's field for anyone interested in playing for the Dandy Stars women's team.