Visitors Hotels had a relegation scare in the second half when North Village turned a 1-1 deadlock into 3-1 just 14 minutes after the restart at Bernard Park.

But a big sigh of relief was breathed in the Hotels camp when it was learned that St. David's could only manage to draw at Wellington Oval, thus sending them back to the Second Division.

A minute's silence was observed at the beginning of this match for one of North Village's staunchest supporters, Louise Bean, who is the mother of former Village player Ralph (Gumbo) Bean. Her funeral was held yesterday.

Both teams started the match in a relaxed mood and despite Village holding possession for much of the first minute it was Hotels who had the first chance, which Randy Boyles volleyed over the bar from a good position inside the box.

Minutes later at the other end, Kevin Jennings beat goalkeeper Randy Darrell to a back-pass but poked his first-time effort just wide of the far post.

Three of the better chances during the early stages fell to Hotels as Clifton Anderson and Boyles both volleyed off target.

Village, more fluent in their build-up with Kevin Jennings, Kentoine Jennings and Kimande Binns controlling the midfield, penetrated the Hotels defence with a quick move down the right side, which resulted in Kevin Jennings shooting into the side netting.

Moments later defender Shawn Smith drove a lot shot through a crowded area and just past the far post.

Another smart build-up, involving Smith and Kentoine Jennings from defence, produced Village's opener in the 32nd minute. The move sent Elliott Jennings through on the left and his cross back into the middle was side-footed home by Sean Dill at the far post.

Hotels, despite losing midfielder Francesco Caparra to a leg injury in the 36th minute, equalised in the 38th minute when the unmarked Boyles met a cross from an Anderson corner on the right and scored with a powerful header.

Village quickly turned the match back in their favour early in the second half with two goals.

Suddenly Hotels were showing signs of anxiety as Village kept on the pressure.

Substitute Sherritt Hewey injected life in the Village attack as he made an immediate impact. He earned a penalty in the 49th minute after being snadwiched between Boyles and Don Lewis inside the box. Michael Hansey scored from the spot.

Hewey scored himself in the 59th minute with a curling left-foot shot from the edge of the area, which went in off a post.

After that Hotels were forced to defend under relentless Village pressure as the home team kept in the hunt for goals.

North Village: A.Swan; K.Grant, W.Augustus, M.Hansey, S.Smith; Kev.Jennings, Ken.Jennings, K.Binns, C.Caisey (S.Hewey, 45 mins), E.Jennings, S.Dill (P.Simmons, 71 mins).

Hotels: R.Darrell; E.Simmons, V.Chaves, P.Smith, D.Bell; C.Sabir, F.Caparra (C.Robinson, 36 mins), M.Piper; D.Lewis (R.Raynor, 66 mins), R.Boyles, C.Anderson.

Referee: Roddy Burchall.

Men of the match: Michael Hansey (North Village); Myron Piper (Hotels).