Dandy Town moved into a commanding position heading into tomorrow's final match of the Dudley Eve Trophy as they ravaged North Village last night at Devonshire Rec.

Three first half goals, including two Walter Musson penalties and a single tally from Wayne Campbell were more than enough to minimize the threat from their leg-weary opponents.

The Red Devils were made to look more like lost sheep as the well-rested Hornets stung them with an early frenzy from which they never recovered.

Uncharacteristically it was Village's goalkeeper Dwayne Adams who, after five minutes, presented Town with a gift opportunity dropping a left-wing corner-kick from Kris Martin onto the boot of Campbell, who stabbed the ball home from three yards.

Before they could recover from this jolt, Village found themselves in more trouble in the 11th minute, as Kentoine Jennings fouled a surging Troy Lewis in the penalty area and referee Roddy Burchall awarded a spot kick to Town, which was converted by Musson.

This second goal awakened Village -- albeit briefly -- as they began to make inroads on a Town defence that had until this time done little more than shadow box against a non-existant opponent.

Midfielder Rahji Edness forced 'keeper Cymande Davis into action with a drive towards the low left corner that the latter parried away from goal, but into the path of Damon Wade, whose effort from an acute angle scaled the face of goal and was cleared.

However, these token attempts failed to deter the men from St. John's Road.

Kris Martin and Walter Musson were at their feverish best working in tandem on the left side, serving to rattle the normally ironclad Village defence.

Martin with his shifty movements and deep bag of tricks proved a handful to anyone in his path, while Musson complimented him well with purposeful running off the ball.

At the other end Town's back four manhandled the trio of Wade, Phillip Clarke and Ricky Hill, never allowing them a moment of freedom.

The goal that really knocked the stuffing out of Village transpired 13 minutes before the interval when full-back Wendell Bassett was unfortunate to be called for a hand-ball in the area after the ball had bounced off the head of an attacker.

Musson again marched up to take the kick, fooling Adams to his left.

Town were more relaxed in the second half, while Village pushed increasing numbers forward in an attempt to claw their way back into the game.

Just as it looked like the three goal margin would stand, Davis blundered in his judgement causing a penalty with a mere three minutes remaining and Derek Bell made good the kick.

"They (Dandy Town) were more rested and were able to gear up for it, while we played an extra game and came out flat,'' said Village's coach Joe Trott afterwards.

"We were unfortunate to give up the early goal. But they really took advantage of our mistakes and were a lot sharper.

"Now we need to do a lot of work.'' Dandy Town: D.Adams; W.Bassett, Ken.Jennings, I.Romaine, D.Bell; R.Edness, E.Jennings, Kev.Jennings; P.Clarke (S.Dill 45 mins), R.Hill, D.Wade.

North Village: C.Davis; L.Christopher, W.campbell, T.Durham, W.Rudo; D.Boyles, Kr.Martin, P.Douglas; W.Musson (L.Furbert 68 mins), C.Smith, T.Lewis.

Referee: Roddy Burchall.

Men of the match: Kris Martin (Dandy Town), Kevin Jennings (North Village).