Group B of the Martonmere Cup is already promising to produce a keen battle for the two semi-final spots after this deadlock between two evenly matched teams.

The group also contains Dandy Town who will meet PHC on Friday night at Devonshire Rec.

With plenty of energy and enthusiasm this match got off to a fast start, though the crowd, after the goal feast in the opening game, had to wait until the second half before they saw the goals.

And midfielder Ottis Steede will no doubt be pleased with his opening goal of the season, so much that the smile was probably still evident even after he pulled his shirt over his head to celebrate.

After Village created the better of the scoring opportunities in the first half, the Zebras went in front in the 51st minute when Steede found the far bottom corner with a well struck shot from all of 25 yards that gave Nyon Steede in the Village goal no chance.

Village's first substitution in the 55th minute paid off when, within five minutes of replacing Jamal (Mouse) Smith, Richard Wilson wiped out the lead when he scored from close range after a good move by Village.

And though it stayed that way to the end, both teams had chances late in the game to seal the win.

Soon after Village's equaliser, Sheridan Ming, lifted a shot over the bar after bad defending by Irving Romaine allowed the nipping Ming to pounce on a half chance.

Three minutes before the end Ming forced his way into the middle but saw his shot deflected for a corner past the near post. With just over a minute left, Sean Dill put his shot straight at 'keeper Ellsworth Bean from close range.

Both teams welcomed a player back to their ranks with Brian Anderson playing his first game in the PHC midfielder since the 1980's and Village's Kevin Jennings back after missing more than a season through suspension.

Also back in action was referee Richard Knight who had confirmed he was quitting during the summer.

Two of the better chances in the first half fell to Village who used their flanks to create most of their chances. In the 20th minute Elliott Jennings' low shot beat keeper Bean but went past the far post as Sean Dill scrambled to get a touch.

Late in the half Dill was involved in a buildup which saw Nakia Smith's shot from 25 yards saved by the diving Bean.

North Village: N.Steede; K.Grant, M.Hansey, I.Romaine, R.Spence, L.Raynor (C.Dill 60min), E.Jennings, K.Jennings, J.Smith (R.Wilson 55min), N.Smith, S.Dill.

PHC: E.Bean; P.Nisbett, M.Wade, D.Outerbridge (D.Burgess 83min), C.Dowling, B.Anderson, O.Steede, K.Mills (A.Simmons 74min), s.Ming, W.Trott (R.Lightbourne 50min), S.Simons.

Men of match: Kevin Jennings (North Village), Sheridan Ming (PHC).

Referee: Richard Knight.