Bean hat-trick helps lift Village title hopes
Bean helped himself to a superb treble and assisted in another Village goal to shed light on an otherwise scrappy affair played in overcast and windy conditions.
The Village captain supplied a pinpoint cross in the middle that was met by the head of Robert Wilson who rose above the defence and headed the Reds ahead on the half hour.
Ten minutes later Bean sprung the offside trap and calmly slotted past St.David’s’ goalie Chris Douglas to double Village’s lead and provide them with a comfortable cushion at the half.
St.David’s’ best chance of the first half fell to Warriors’ stalwart Otis Minors who hesitated to unleash and ended up handling the ball after losing his balance in the box.
But the visitors pressed on and clawed their way back into contention shortly after the restart when substitute Fiqre Crockwell slammed home Angelo Cannonier’ rebound that looped onto the bar.
However, Village immediately came storming back with Bean netting his second after receiving a defence-splitting pass from Jemeiko Jennings.
But Warriors again refused to roll over and play dead.
Just as the euphoria of Village’s third goal wore off, St.David’s’ loyal supporters were given something to cheer about as full back Aaron Lugo drilled home a disputed penalty kick to reduce the deficit back to one after Robert Wilson was blown for shoving Desmond Crockwell in the box.
It was during this period St.David’s played their best football of the day, and looked quite capable of pulling off that elusive first win of the season.
Village, though, would have none it. And when Bean fired home his third goal, the Reds never looked back while St.David’s seemed to run out of ideas.
Full back Jamaul Boyles punted the ball forward and Bean — who appeared to have used his left hand to get the ball under control — beat Douglas with another low drive that found its mark.
Clearly in control of the proceedings, Jennings then rubbed salt in Warriors’ wound with the best goal of the afternoon. After St.David’s were dispossessed deep in their own half, Jennings unleashed from 20 yards with a low drive that cut a path inside Douglas’ near post.
North Village<$>: D.Adams, J.Boyles, R.Spence, R.Wilson, K.Dill, Kai.Dill, R.Bean (J.Simmons, 88 mins), K.Bean (C.Trott, 75 mins), V.Tankard, D.Deff
St.David’s<$>: C.Douglas, D.Crockwell, K.Franks, A.Lugo, O.Butterfield, A.Russell, C.Garcia, C.Richardson, Ank.Cannonier, A.Cannonier.Minors
Yellow cards<$>: R.Wilson (Village); O.Minors (St.Davids)
Men of the match<$>: R.Bean (Village); F.Crockwell (St.David’s)
Referee: Ronue Cann
