A lone goal by centre-half Philip Bailey was enough for the St. George's Colts to snatch a well-earned win yesterday over the high-flying Devonshire Colts.

At their Frog Lane field, the team from Devonshire did more than enough to put the match away in the first half but poor finishing and solid defensive work by the east-enders was to deny them on the day.

The visitors challenged their opponents right from the opening whistle and might have opened the scoring early. Marlon Outerbridge raced his effort after goalkeeper Andre Hendrickson had been drawn out of position, and saw the ball skip wide of the goal.

Only seconds later Outerbridge again had a fine opportunity from inside the Devonshire penalty area but once again sent his shot wide of the target.

The rest of the first half though belonged to Devonshire as they effectively controlled the pace of play and opened holes in the St. George's defence to create scoring chances. Keishon Smith connected with a well-flighted header that goalkeeper Troy Hall did well to snatch out of the air right on the goal-line. The 'keeper once again proved his worth when he dove beautifully to smother a dangerous cross from Quincey Aberdeen inside his six-yard box.

The Devonshire Colts opened the second half with obvious determination and immediately forced the visitors on the defensive. Harrison Trott finished a fine run down the right flank with a hard bouncing shot that flew inches wide of the upright. This began a 15-minute period of sustained pressure by the home team that brought the best out of the St. George's defence.

Bailey and Earl Basden combined well in defence to thwart everything that Devonshire could throw at them and in turn created telling counter-attacks that eventually led to the winning goal. Devonshire substitute Vaughn Smith came into the match midway through the second half and immediately sent the St. George's defence deep into their own half with a looping shot that sailed right into Hall's arms.

The 'keeper cleared the ball first time to Stephen Denbrook who outpaced his defender down the right flank. His telling cross from the touchline fell into a maze of players right in the heart of the Devonshire goalmouth. Hasty clearance attempts finally saw the ball fall to Bailey who had overlapped well to support the attack. With little hesitation he drilled the ball through the crowded area into the back of the net for the score.

Devonshire threw all they had into the attack in a bid to find the equaliser and came very close when Mark Ray unleashed a vicious drive from outside the area that forced Hall to go full length to make the save.

In their desperation to score, the home team lacked the cohesive play that was necessary to penetrate the solid defence of the visitors. More often than not they were left with long shots that proved of little threat to their opponents goal.

In their efforts to score Devonshire left themselves open to quick counter-attacks. On one such move, Dell Tyrell unleashed a terrific left-footed shot that Hendrickson did well to keep out of the back of the net.

Only seconds later the 'keeper again maintained the scoreline with a superb save from an equally superb shot from Denbrooke that looked to be curling into the roof of the goal.

Devonshire Colts: A.Hendrickson, J.Belboda, K.Burchall, M.Ray, C.Wright, H.Trott, D.Wright, C.Smith, Q.Aberdeen (L.Hypolite, 65 mins), K.Smith, E.Weldon.

St. George's: T.Hall, A.Todd, D.Minors (A.Richardson, 20 mins), E.Basden, P.Bailey (D.Tyrell, 73 mins), S.Denbrook, D.Walker, G.Foggo, J.Ceiters, M.Outerbridge, Q.Francis.

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Andre Hendrickson (Devonshire Colts); Philip Bailey (St.

George's).

CRAIG SMITH -- Kept under wraps by St. George's.

HEADS UP -- St. George's goal-scorer Philip Bailey does a good defensive job here against Craig Smith.