Dandy Town 2 Hamilton Parish 1

Dandy Town coach Scott Morton hailed Raymond Beach as the Premier Division's best striker after watching him torture Hamilton Parish's defence with two goals.

The league's leading goalscorer struck twice in the second half at St. John's Field yesterday to inspire the tabletoppers to victory – and Morton wouldn't swap his lethal weapon with any other marksman in Bermuda.

Beach bundled home a right wing corner just after the break to cancel out Christopher Caisey's first half opener for Hot Peppers. But it was Beach's second which broke Parish's hearts with the burly striker bulldozing his way through the visitors' back-line before firing home with just minutes left on the clock.

"For me Raymond Beach is by and away the best striker in the league," said Morton. "The word 'potent' doesn't do him justice. I'm not sure there's a word in the dictionary that explains just how important he has been to us this season.

"He's been unbelievable for us week-in week-out but what people don't see is the work he puts in during training. He never misses a session and he's been really focused and committed this season and he's getting his rewards on the pitch.

"One of our coaches, Wayne Baxter, was the man responsible for bringing Beach back to Hornets from Cougars at the start of the season and he's really delivered."

Morton said the ex-Bermuda Hogges striker's performances warranted a second look from the semi-pro outfit when they meet to discuss their roster for the coming USL-D2 season.

"He certainly deserves a look," said Morton. "He's put himself out there with his performances and I'm sure people have noticed his good form."

Tricky attacker Caisey had put Hot Peppers ahead with an excellent goal, guiding past a marker before rifling in a low shot past goalkeeper Mikkail Crockwell.

Although Bermuda Under-20 'keeper Crockwell had already twice been forced into flying saves it was Morton's side who edged the first half but they couldn't find a way past Parish shotstopper Nigel Burgess.

The national team 'keeper foiled Damon Ming – who limped off midway through first half with a foot injury – diving to gather the ball from the winger's feet and then made a fine block from Lashun Dill.

Despite trailing at the break, Morton said he was still 'smiling' and knew his team would eventually capitalise on the chances they were crafting.

"I was not concerned at half-time because we were making chances," he said. "I knew it was only a matter of time before he scored although I have to give plenty if credit to Hamilton Parish. This was no walk in the park for us.

"They made it very difficult for us but we kept believing and remained focused."

Dandy Town: M.Crockwell, D.Signor, S.Smith, K.Lathan, E.Signor (K.Goddard 75 mins), A.Rusell, G.Butterfield, H.Wolfe, L.Dill (D.Leveroc 75 mins) D.Ming (N.Wells 29 mins), R.Beach

Substitutes: K.Sampson, J.Stowe

Hamilton Parish: N.Burgess, C.Hansey, J.Lambert, P.Richardson, O.Allen (G.Gibbons 80 mins), C.Caisey, J.Smith, N.Swan, R.Evans, A.Ebbins

Substitutes: E.Lathan, A.Wood, D.Smith

Yellow cards: S.Smith (Dandy Town); J. Smith (Hamilton Parish)

Man-of-the-match: R.Beach (Dandy Town)

Referee: Anthony Mouchette