PHC 1

Dandy Town 3

Veterans Jared Peniston and Lashun Dill hailed Dandy Town's team spirit yesterday after winning the Premier Division title – their first for six long seasons.

Hornets saw off PHC at Southampton Oval thanks to a brace from the league's top scorer Nahki Wells and a late strike from Damon Ming.

Hornets finished one point ahead of North Village whose win over Somerset Eagles at White Hill was all in vain.

For Peniston, who played for Village last year, it was a warm welcome home in his first season back at the St. John's Road club.

"It was a long time coming for the club," said Peniston.

"We worked hard throughout the season, even when our backs were against the wall and in the relegation zone, we stuck together and got through the rough patch and now we are reaping the rewards of our hard work.

"This feeling is great considering how I have come back home after a year at Village, and to be holding the league title right now is a great feeling.

"When you look at our team you see harmony, from each player and it shows on the pitch.

"We come out to play every week, train hard and this is the reward you get."

The champions got off to a good start courtesy of Wells, who outpaced PHC defender Chae Smith to a through ball and slipped his side footed effort past Raymond Glasford in goal in the 11th minute.

Seven minutes later, however, it was Blenn Bean who levelled matters and threw the title race back in the balance when his cross smacked the underside of the crossbar, hit Town 'keeper Mikkail Crockwell's back and bounced over the line before he picked the ball up and played on.

Referee Anthony Mouchette ruled the ball had crossed the line although the linesmen on that sideline did not put his flag up.

Town almost replied immediately when Raymond Beach saw his initial shot saved by Glasford, with the rebound falling to Wells who also had his effort blocked.

Wells was causing havoc and in the 32nd minute he rounded Glasford and slotted his shot home from an acute angle.

The match wasn't put to bed until the 87th minute when Wells supplied Ming who dually chipped his effort over a diving Glasford to cement their first league title since the 2003/04 season.

Dill, who had an excellent game torturing the Zebras back line, stated the league win, his second, was a special one and tipped his hat to the men who brought home the victory.

"This is my second league title, but this one is special in regards to how we won it," said Dill.

"We had it in our own hands, let it slip against Village in the 3-1 loss and then to bounce back and come away with it is a wonderful feeling.

"My hat goes off to Nahki, although it is a team effort, he has come through in big moments and today was no exception, so I acknowledge him as well as Damon today.

"They got the goals that mattered at the end and we can go home champions."

PHC: R.Glasford, C.Smith, C.Dowling, O.Shakir, F.Frankson, J.Sealy, B.Bean (L.Holder, 79), C.Furbert (K.Lightbourne, 79), Q.Burgess, C.Castle, M.Warren

Goals: B.Bean,18

Dandy Town: M.Crockwell, T.Russell, M.Smith, G.Dyer, C.Anderson, S.Brown, J.Swan, D.Ming, L.Dill (L.Tucker, 77), N.Wells, R.Beach

Goals: N.Wells 11, 32, Ming, 87

Yellow cards: N.Wells, C.Anderson

Referee: A.Mouchette

Man of the Match: N.Wells