Two-time defending Charity Cup champions North Village fired the opening salvo against cross-town rivals Dandy Town at BAA Field on Saturday night to lay claim to early season bragging rights.

A stunning seventh-minute Jemieko Jennings strike and an insurance goal from second-half substitute Quincy Paynter at the death ultimately burst Town's swelling ego and catapulted Village into the history books as the first club to win three Charity Cup titles in succession.

Though neither team managed to take the match fully by the scruff of the neck, it was Village who coped best with the long summer break and made the most of their limited chances in front of goal.

While Town seemed to have a slight physical edge early in the match, the Hornets were rocked back on their heels by Jennings' right-footed tracer from 25 yards which left ‘keeper Antoine Lightbourne standing flat-footed as it soared into the top right-hand corner.

And after surviving a few close calls either side of the break, super sub Paynter - on the field for only ten minutes - then put the finishing touches to Village's historic night and the result beyond doubt by slotting the ball into an empty net after Lightbourne and first-half sub David Lawler collided in a moment of indecisiveness in front of goal ten minutes from time.

“It's always good to win and to be the first team to win three straight Charity Cups,” commented victorious Village player/coach Kentoine Jennings who was awarded the season's first yellow card in the 22 minute of play.

“This is an honour and a privilege. I was just looking for the guys to do the simple things and they managed to stick to the game plan. And I have to give them credit for that.

“It was a very competitive game and Town gave us a good test. This was only one game and a gauge for us to see where we currently are and there is still a long season ahead of us. But at least we now have a idea of where we stand and what work still needs to be done.”

Also pleased by the night's final outcome was the returning Jemieko Jennings who laid the foundation for his team's triumph in the most spectacular fashion. Coming into possession deep in Town territory, Jennings, who was sidelined for most of last season with a fractured right-foot, took a brief look at goal before unleashing a wicked drive which soared unchallenged into the roo f of the net.

“That had to be one of the best goals I've scored. I just looked up and struck it and then hoped it would go in,” recalled the diminutive frontman.

“But it feels great to be on a team that has made history by becoming the first to win three straight Charity Cups.”

Jennings nearly duplicated this feat minutes before half time with yet another rocket from 20 yards with his left- foot which rattled the bar with Lightbourne again immobilised.

By now Town, who had earlier come out all guns ablaze, resembled a bunch of felons sitting on death row begging for leniency as fatigue, constant bickering and Village's ability to spread the ball around the pitch gradually took its toll.

But with their pride on the line, the Horn ets did create a few openings, particularly in the second half when it was the Village defence which appeared as porous as a block of Swiss cheese - only the ever-present Jawan Thomas and alertness of ‘keeper Calvin Augustus spared the Reds' blushes.

Augustus - back from school overseas and a brief stint at Devonshire Colts - was occasionally called upon to make timely saves to prevent the relentless Khano Smith from penetrating while Thomas cleared a goal-bound shot off the line in the opening half.

Smith again proved to be Village's main threat as his pace often caused anxiety in the Red's defence, particularly in the 14th minute when Augustus dived full length to palm the lanky striker's fierce drive over the bar.

Defender Maurice Lowe also came close with a header in traffic which rolled inches wide of the upright.

Village too had their chances to increase their lead, however returning 32 year-old striker Damon Wade - who for the past few seasons has been playing in the Commercial Division - had Lightbourne risk limb and health to save at his feet and midfielder Tafari Outerbridge shoot over the bar following a goal-mouth scramble.

But Paynter would make no mistake with a gift of a goal ten minutes from time.

Village and Town will now meet again in a Martonmere Cup Group A clash at the same venue on September 21.

PHC 4 Lady Cougars 3

In the preceding Women's Charity Cup final, PHC came from behind twice to outscore Lady Cougars 4-3 in a thrilling curtain raiser which saw Zebras' Tschana Wade score the season's first hat-trick within a six minute span.

Maria Smith-Tannock grabbed PHC's other goal while Sakena Clarke, Shivon Washington and Ashley Wall replied for Cougars who, with a little bit of luck down the final stretch, could have at least sent the match into extra-time.

Dandy Town: A.Lightbourne, E.Signor (D.Lawler, 34 mins), M.Lowe, R.Swan, C.Anderson (L.Dill, 50 mins), L.Furbert (capt), K.Butterfield (J.Peniston, 34 mins), C.Smith, O.Steede, K.Smith, S.Tuzo.

North Village: C.Augustus, J.Thomas, K.Dill, Ken.Jennings, S.Goater, T.Outerbridge, K.Jennings (K.Dill, 50 mins), J.Jennings (G.Augustus, 87 mins), M.Crane (Q.Paynter, 70 mins), R.Bean Jr (capt), D.Wade.

Booked: R.Swan, K.Smith (Town); Ken. Jennings, K.Jennings (Village).

Men of the match: K.Smith/A.Lightbourne (Town); C.Augustus, J.Jennings (Village).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor.