Although unspectacular, North Village scored a comfortable three-goal victory over home side PHC at PHC Stadium yesterday to inch their way into the top half of the First Division.

And they did so with the services of three Bantam players, showing that the future looks bright for Village even if they may not reap immediate dividends.

But not too much can be read into this win as the Zebras offered little in terms of competition while Village also missed a number of chances.

Once the Red Devils had taken a decisive 2-0 lead before the break on goals by Elliott Jennings and Damon Wade, PHC could only show fight and enthusiasm without much technique.

The match was put out of PHC's reach after 66 minutes when Village added their third through Jemeiko Jennings.

PHC's headaches started early when their hard-working striker McLee Smith missed a sitter after just five minutes, taking advantage of a rare slip by centre-back Michael Hansey but slamming a shot from 16 yards wide of the goal.

Village matched this blunder 10 minutes later when Jamel Smith incredibly put his shot from just 11 yards out wide of the post after a defensive lapse.

With Wade spearheading Village's raids, the visitors took a 1-0 lead after 19 minutes when Wade and Jemeiko Jennings combined with Elliott Jennings who scored from close in.

PHC fought back with Smith and Ricky Mallory putting pressure on the defence, but neither got off threatening shots on goal.

PHC's fightback was stalled after 40 minutes when Wade brilliantly dribbled past three defenders before striking the ball home fron an angle on the left.

Play in the second half was less intense with PHC's youngsters unable to settle, being particularly outclassed in midfield where they made two substitutions.

Village were unlucky after 55 minutes when Kevin Jennings hit the post from 20 yards. But PHC had their share of chances also with Stephen Astwood firing two shots into the chest of goalkeeper Nyon Steede from 18 yards and McLee Smith having a shot blocked by the advancing Steede.

Just when it seemed as if PHC were going to find at least a consolation goal, Village killed their momentum after 66 minutes as Jemeiko Jennings was put through by Sammy DeGraffe to score from close range.

PHC: E.Bean; M.Williams (E.Hunt, 45 mins), S.Smith, S.Trott, C.Dowling; D.Rawlings, E.Dowling (A.Thomas, 55 mins), Q.Hunt (J.Robinson, 58 mins); M.Smith, S.Astwood, R.Mallory North Village: N.Steede; K.Dill, D.Jennings, M.Hansey, D.Whitfield; S.DeGraffe (J.Samuels, 71 mins), K.Jennings, D.Wade; E.Jennings, J.Jennings (L.Cann, 69 mins), J.Smith (V.Tankard, 77 mins) Referee: Gary Cook Men of the match: Damon Wade (Village); McLee Smith (PHC)