North Village 2 Devonshire Colts 1

Teenage North Village winger Keishon Bean celebrated his first goal in top flight soccer with an unintentional 54-minute strike to earn his team a 2-1 win over reigning Martonmere Cup champions Devonshire Colts at BAA Field yesterday.

A thorn in Colts' side for the entire match, the 16-year-old found himself with just enough space to produce a deft chip which floated over the head of Colts ‘keeper Khabir Dill, smashed against the inside of the post and crossed the goal-line - much to the elated teenager's amazement.

“Initially it was supposed to be a cross,” conceded a totally exhausted Bean afterwards. “ I guess the wind took it and it swung in. It was a mistake - but I'll take it.”

It was a sentiment evidently shared by his team-mates, who through an opportunistic first half Ralph Bean Jr strike and some attractive play, brushed aside a dogged Colts team for the second time in seven days.

Village should have been out in front just 30 seconds into the match when Keith Jennings evaded several tackles to provide himself a good look at goal. However, his first-time effort rolled harmlessly wide of the open net.

But there would be no denying Village nine minutes later. What should have been a routine headed back pass by McKonnen Hollis to Dill went awfully wrong as the ‘keeper misread the play allowing an alert Bean to pounce and ram the ball into the empty net.

Stung, Colts quickly regrouped and almost found themselves level when Steven Mendes unleashed a low drive which took a deflection before rolling wide of the far post.

At the other end, Keith Jennings, also enjoying a solid match, again found an unmarked Ralph Bean in the middle. But this time Dill was equal to the task and easily thwarted the gifted striker's effort.

But before the considerably large crowd on hand had time to refocus their attention, Colts were level. Running behind a scrambling Village defence, Colts striker Lloyd Holder was first to get to a loose ball. Holder smartly rounded the onrushing Zane Henderickson but hesitated to slot the ball into the empty net. Hendrickson then looked to have recovered the ball but it was knocked way from his grasp and on the ensuing rush to recover it, referee Stuart Crockwell blew the ‘keeper down for fouling Holder. Deputising skipper Jermel Belboda easily made good his spot kick to draw the teams level.

Colts defender Hollis then prevented Village from retaking the lead midway through the half when he threw himself at a goal bound Ralph Bean shot, the defender injuring himself as he collided with the goal post.

Village then had coach Scott Morton receive the first red card of the new season shortly before half-time when the usually reserved team official lost his temper and launched a verbal attack on the referee after Hollis had escaped with two successive crunching tackles on his players.

Just prior to the start of the second half, Colts held a prayer huddle on the eastern end of the pitch. But those prayers would go unanswered as Bean celebrated his maiden goal shortly after the restart.

Colts injected Quincy Aberdeen, Ryan Evans and Marvin Belboda to add life up front. And that move nearly paid off as Aberdeen and Belboda created a few anxious moments heading down the stretch. Village were also fortunate to see a Jermaine Belboda sizzler crash onto the crossbar in the 80th minute.

However, it was the Reds, dictating most of the tempo throughout, who should have buried their opponents late in the match. On no less than three occasions substitute Kevin Jennings blew easy chances while Kaiwon Dill also came close to burying the hatchet.

North Village:Z.Hendrickson, D.Thomas, L.Alexander, K.Dill, K.Binns, J.Jennings (L.Marshall, 77 mins), K.Bean, T.Outerbridge, K.Jennings (K.Dill, 70 mins), R.Bean Jr, D.Warren (K.Jennings, 55 mins).

Devonshire Colts: K.Dill, Jer.Belboda, M.Bean, G.Gibbons, M.Hollis, J.Belboda, D.Williams, S.Mendes (R.Evans, 77 mins), R.Spence (M.Belboda, 63 mins), L.Holder, Z.Darrell (Q.Aberdeen, 50 mins).

Booked: M.Belboda (Colts).

Men of the match: K.Bean (Village); M.Hollis (Colts).

Referee: S.Crockwell.