St. George's 0 Dandy Town 2

Reigning champions Dandy Town secured their first league victory of the season as Darron (Duke) Simons dashed any notions the east enders had of repeating the winning exploits of the previous weekend at Wellington Oval yesterday.

Simons netted in the first half and then again late in the game to seal Town's victory.

"We had to make a few adjustments to our formation, we tried to get more players forward," said Town coach Andrew Bascome afterwards. "We still encountered early problems trying to find our rhythm - trying to keep it smooth. I figured if we created the chances we would have the people forward to get the job done. It paid off a little but we are still not keeping the ball for long periods."

Bascome went on: "The pressure wasn't that great on the ball from St. George's, primarily because of the width of the pitch at Wellington. But we could have taken our time, kept our heads up a bit and directed our passes more accurately. But it was a good result, from herein every game will be vital for us."

St. George's, who upset North Village in their last outing, assumed a defensive posture as the visiting Hornets set about erasing memories of defeat last week.

Reggie Tucker back from injury, Simons and Seymour Tuzo toiled up front but a combination of complacency and the occasional wayward midfield pass thwarted their efforts when well poised to penetrate their opponents' goal.

Simons provided Town with their first opportunity midway through the opening half, connecting with a header that Khabir Dill did well to push around the post after Tuzo had supplied a perfect cross from the right.

Moments later the effervescent Simons was not to be denied. He was on hand to redirect a Tuzo rebound into the back of the net to give the visitors the lead close to the half.

Town's celebrations were momentarily put on hold as Simons lay writhing in pain inside the goal after taking a knock on the knee for his endeavours. St. George's, who relied on sporadic counter-attacks, had few chances in the opening period - forward Greg DoSanto placed a tentative shot wide after some good approach work by the vociferous Herbie Bascome, playing in the heart of the Colts' midfield, during one of their better moves.

The east enders began the second period with more imagination. Almost immediately they caused Hornets skipper Lionel Furbert and company to respond to a misjudged clearance by keeper Jason Smith as they went in search of an equaliser.

Forward Sinclair Gibbons, playing out on the right flank, was unlucky not to pull his team level on several occasions, opting instead to shoot hastily and from long range.

Colts' Kyle Williams and captain Neil Paynter also had long range shots of their own that narrowly missed the target.

Referee George O'Brien cautioned Gibbons for unsportsmanlike conduct in the 55th minute as frustration began to set in. However, it was the Hornets who were to feel the full sting of the referee when Kingsley Mundy received his marching orders in the 71st minute for a blatant foul.

The red card seemed to inspire Colts to lift their game a notch and they introduced Yusaff Pitt and David Signor into their attack.

St.George's' Williams and Bascome were also cautioned along with Town's Randy Swan late in the half before it was left to Simons to put the result beyond the hosts with his second goal of the match a few moments before the final whistle.

St.George's: K.Dill, K.Moreno, D.Bailey, N.Paynter, U.Fox, M.Outerbridge, E.Signor, K.Williams, G.D'Santos,(Y.Pitt, 70 mins), H.Bascome, (D.Signor, 85 mins), S.Gibbons.

Dandy Town: J.Smith, R.Swan, L.Christopher, K.Mundy, L.Furbert, B.O'Riordan, (P.Cann, 75 mins), S.Tuzo, D.Binns, R.Tucker, D.Boyles, D.Simons.

Cards: Red - Mundy (Town). Yellow - Swan (Town); Williams, Bascome, Gibbons (St. George's).

Men of the match: N.Paynter (St George's); D.Simons (Dandy Town)

Referee: George O'Brien