Skipper Kevin Jennings showed his jaded forwards what finishing was all about when he broke 43 minutes of dour play to score what proved to be the deciding goal in this First Division clash at Bernard Park yesterday.

While the process of claiming victory wasn't pretty, Village nevertheless went to the top of the tables and took a giant step towards securing a place in the Dudley Eve Trophy during the Christmas holidays.

Village took over top spot from Vasco, who were held to a 1-1 draw with Devonshire Colts yesterday. In other matches, Boulevard defeated PHC 3-0 and Southampton Rangers beat Somerset 2-1.

Jennings took a square pass from left full-back Kevin Grant and the midfielder hammered home a sizzling drive from 20 yards that struck the bar, bounced down against the back of stranded goalkeeper Stefan Dupres before going over the line.

However, any decent side able to dominate as much of the play as Village would have taken a decisive edge by the interval.

MORE SOCCER, PAGE 31 The uninspiring trend of play had to be annoying for coach Kenny Thompson as his team held possession for lengthy periods, advanced to the penalty box only to have play break down mostly by misdirected passing or having a defender making a clearance after a Village player held onto the ball for extended periods.

One such culprit for Village was Jamel Smith on the left wing who was in scoring range on several occasions without being able to get off a shot.

But it was Smith who had Village's closest chances before the goal with his swirling corner grazing off the bar before being cleared after 42 minutes.

With Hotels accomplishing little up front, Village continued to hold an endge when play re-started but they continued to break down deep in Hotel's half.

Hotels could have stunned the home side after 72 minutes when the visitors had their first direct shot on goal, but goal-keeper Nyon Steede was alert to dive to save a shot from close in by Marlon Lindsay.

Hotels came close to drawing level again after 85 minutes during another rare attack, but this time a curling free kick by left full-back Chris Sabir skimmed off the top of the goal.

There was some excitment left for Village fans though as they worked hard for a late goal. Hard-working defender Kevin Grant was inches away from accomplishing this feat when his fierce drive from 18 yards sailed inches wide after 86 minutes.

Village had substitute Damon Wade sent off by referee George O'Brien for retaliating, hitting a player after a clash a minute from the end.

North Village: N.Steede; K.Dill, D.Jennings, M.Hansey, K.Grant; K.Jennings, V.Tankard (R.Edness, 75 min), E.Jennings; L.Cann (J.Boyles, 87 min), J.Jennings, J.Smith (D.Wade, 70 min) Hotels: S.Dupres; W.Augustus, D.Sharrieff, C.Roberts, C.Sabir; F.Francis, J.Weeks, S.Gair; D.Wainwright, D.Robinson, M.Lindsay Referee: George O'Brien Men of the match: Kevin Jennings (Village); Diallo Sharrieff (Hotels)