North Village coach Calvin “Patches” Dill is adamant the champions can retain their Premier Division title despite suffering a third loss of the campaign at home to fellow title hopefuls PHC Zebras last Friday night.

The away side prevailed 1-0 in an entertaining and high-tempo contest at Bernard Park, with Zebras striker Enrique Russell grabbing the winner in the 75th minute. The result sent PHC back to the summit, while Village remain fifth, five points behind the leaders with six matches to play.

Dill felt his team was the better side on the night but despite coming away with no points he insists the title is not beyond reach heading into the business end of the season.

“I thought we played well and were definitely the better team,” he told The Royal Gazette. “The only chances they were getting were from corners, but we were the better team and should have came out on top.

“But the title is still there for us because other teams will slip up. We just have to get through this one; move on, keep working hard and putting the work together, then let the chips fall where they may.”

Zebras top the table by two points from Devonshire Colts and Dandy Town, whose weekend fixtures against lowly St George’s Colts and Paget Lions fell victim to adverse weather conditions.

PHC captain and defender Daren Usher was pleased to come away with the hard-fought win over Village to stay in the title hunt.

“It was a tough match as expected but we stuck to the game plan and weathered the storm for majority of the match and took our chance when it came,” he said.

“These are the games that can win or lose a title, so I’m glad we were able to stay in the title race and essentially take out one of our closest rivals in the process.

“We now have to push on and be prepared for every battle ahead of us.”