X-Roads 2 North Village 5

North Village coach Calvin“Patches” Dill believes his side are back in the Premier Division title race after an impressive victory over X-Roads at St David’s on Sunday.

After Devonshire Colts drew and PHC were beaten earlier in the weekend, the three points earned here allowed Village to close the gap on those at the top and Dill is hoping his sice can make the most of their second chance.

“We had to come down here and face a tough X-Roads team,” Dill said.

“The results from Friday’s and Saturday’s game went in our favour so I told my players it was crucial to win today to keep our name in the race. With the win, we are only a few points behind the leaders and we still have to play Town and PHC, so let’s hope for the best.”

Village started the match with a purpose and would take the lead in the 21st minute. Veteran forward Pierre Smith snaked his way along the touchline before cutting the ball back to Amir Dill, who turned sharply only for Christian Smith to bring him down with referee Martin Wyer well positioned to give the penalty.

Knory Scott stepped up and sent X-Roads goalkeeper Kamran Harvey the wrong way.

At the other end, Danavon Thompson turned his marker to get off a shot on the angle but it was easily saved by Village goalkeeper Detre Bell at his near post.

Village doubled their lead in the 26th minute with Smith again the provider again in similar fashion. After dribbling to the touchline, he shot and although the X-Roads goalkeeper blocked his initial attempt, the rebound fell into the path of Camaje Easton-Smith who would blast home from close range.

X-Roads reduced the deficit within minutes when Thompson worked hard to keep possession and lay off a pass to Paul Simons in the middle of the park. The captain would control and side-foot beyond a stranded Bell from the edge of the six-yard box.

Village score their third before half time when Dill made a darting run down the right flank before cutting inside, where wingback Akim Johnston brought him down from behind leaving referee Wyer to make his second penalty call of the day. Scott placed this penalty in the opposite corner to restore the two-goal cushion at the interval.

X-Roads had the opportunity to score within a minute of the restart when they broke free on a quick counter-attack, with Christian Smith and Tyman Daniels zoning in on goal, but the latter decided to pass when shooting appeared the better option with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Village took advantage of that miss and scored again when Dill dummied a Jordan Outerbridge throw-in and ran around his marker to square for wingback Che’Kai Caisey to slide the ball into the net at the back post.

X-Roads substitute Aaron Spencer was brought on and had an immediate impact as he tried a cheeky free kick aimed at the near post, but Bell was alert and smothered the ball. Spencer then played Thompson through but he slammed his shot over the top.

X-Roads pulled one back when Village substitute Jalen Harvey conceded a free kick at the top of the area, which he received a yellow card for. Krishun Douglas would hit a firm drive which ricocheted of the upright and rattles the back of the net with Bell beaten. However, Harvey would make amends within a minute when he ventured forward to score a header from Outerbridge’s corner.

With time running down, Bell would keep the three-goal margin intact when he jumped full stretch to make a fingertip save from Johnston’s dipping shot

Scorers

X-Roads: Simons 28, Douglas 70

North Village: Scott 15 pen, 43 pen, C Easton-Smith 26, C Caisey 65, J Harvey 71

Teams

X-Roads (4-2-3-1): K Harvey 6 (sub: C Smith, 86 min) ― T Daniels 5 (sub: A Darrell, 63 5), C Smith 5, S Somner 5, A Johnston 6 ― K Douglas 6, J Bean 5 ― J Lottimore 5 (sub: A Spencer, 53 6), P Simons 6, K Richardson 5 (sub: E Abranches, 53 6) ― D Thompson 6. Booked: Bean

North Village (5-3-2): D Bell 6 ― J Outerbridge 6 (sub: J Hayward, 76), Q Outerbridge 5 (sub: J Harvey, 60 6), C Caisey 6 (sub: M Paynter, 76), J Sukdeo 6, K Knights 5 (sub: K Cann, 60 5) ― T Williams, C Easton-Smith, A Dill ― K Scott (sub: T Tucker, 76), P Smith. Substitutes not used: K Harrison, J Smith-DeShields. Booked: Harvey

Referee: M Wyer