North Village 1

Dandy Town 1

Ralph Bean jr's last gasp sucker punch secured North Village a share of the spoils against an unfortunate Dandy Town who were reduced to ten men at Bernard Park.

The Rams skipper made amends for a first-half penalty miss with a last minute equaliser to cancel out Raymond Beach's opener in yesterday's clash between two of the Premier Division's powerhouses.

Hornets veteran Carlos Smith received his marching orders for a second bookable offence just moments after Bean's 'get-out-of-jail' leveller.

Much of the talk prior to kick-off had surrounded Damon Ming's return to the domestic stage after being released from his Bermuda Hogges contract but his first meaningful contribution had referee Leroy Wilson pointing to the penalty spot after the winger was adjudged to have pushed Jamal Boyles in the back.

But, much to the relief of Hornet player/coach Meshach Wade, making his first start of the season, Bermuda Under-20 goalkeeper Mikkail Crockwell saved Ming's blushes by foiling Bean's weak effort with a save low to his right.

Towards the end of first half referee Wilson interrupted the lively encounter by requesting for a Village supporter to leave the ground after a barrage of criticism had been hurled in his direction.

The referee's demand could be an early indication that Bermuda Football Association's zero tolerance stance against abuse towards match officials – in the wake of the Ronue Cann and Ray Jones saga – is a genuine attempt to clean up the domestic game.

Hornets started the second half the sharper with Ming showing glimpses of his trademark 'tricks and flicks', while Beach and Heys Wolfe looked lively in attack.

It was Wolfe who was the provider for Beach's strike midway through the second period with a through ball which his strike partner drove past Rams stopper Calvin Augustus after holding off two defenders.

Back came Village though, with Boyles hammering a header against the crossbar before Bean found space in a congested Hornets box to snap a low shot into the far corner of the net at the death.

It was a cruel blow for Wade's side who had defending superbly and would have been good value for the victory.

"I guess we do feel like we've lost two points today," Dandy Town assistant Scott Moreton.

"But we have to be satisfied with our performance. It's tough take because their equaliser came so late in the game and we had defended so well."

He added: "Meshach (Wade) brings so much experience and know-how and of course we look a better team when he plays.

"It was his first appearance of the season and it can be difficult for any player/coach to separate playing and coaching."

Village coach Elliott Jennings said he was "grateful" for the point and praised his players' effort and determination.

North Village: C.Augustus, R.Wilson, D.Edwards, K.Dill, D.Tankard, M.Godley (N.Smith 80), J.Boyles, J.Peniston, J.Jennings, G.Johnson (K. Dill 76), R.Bean

Subs: P.Smith, S.DeShields, N.Wilkinson, D.Blyden

Dandy Town: M.Crockwell, E.Signor, D.Signor, M.Wade, L.K'wonde, L.Furbert, C.Smith, J.Swan, D.Ming (L.Dill 72), H.Wolfe, R.Beach

Subs: K.Sampson, L.Tucker, S.Furbert, O.Anthrun

Referee: L.Wilkinson

Yellow cards: L.Furbert (Dandy Town); C.Smith (Dandy Town)

Man-of-the-match: M. Wade (Dandy Town)