Jahquan Smith-DeShields celebrated his 19th birthday in style at Bernard Park yesterday, firing a superb hat-trick to inspire title-chasing North Village Rams to an emphatic victory over inst Hamilton Parish.

The Rams striker converted in the twice in the first half and another in the second to further underline his potential and, more importantly, keep his team’s title hopes alive.

Ralph Bean Jr, the Village coach, was quick to praise Smith-DeShields’s clinical display after watching his team thrash Parish.

“I am definitely proud of him,” Bean said. “He has just progressively got better this season.

“He has all the talent, so it is just about executing now. And he is starting to do that.”

Keishen Bean, who scored twice, and Tyrell Burgess accounted for the Rams’ other goals.

The win, Village’s ninth of the season, left them two-points adrift of leaders Dandy Town with one round of league matches remaining.

Rams will make the short journey to Devonshire Recreation Club on March 30 to face relegation-threatened Wolves in their final league match of the season.

To achieve a ninth title, Rams must beat Wolves in their final match and then rely on Devonshire Cougars, the dethroned league champions, to take points off Town, who are chasing a seventh league title.

“The plan is to do our utmost to get the most points we can and whatever else happens after that is out of our control,” Bean added.

Parish took the match to their hosts from the kick-off and nearly grabbed the lead when Patrick Richardson, the midfielder, headed a free kick just wide of the upright with Troy Hall, the Rams goalkeeper, stranded at the near post.

Richardson threatened again moments later after being sent through in the box by a pass from Kneiko Richardson.

But with only Hall to beat, Richardson shot tamely into the goalkeeper’s hands. These missed opportunities came back to haunt Parish, as Smith-DeShields rolled up his sleeves and took matters into his own hands.

The Rams striker scored what proved to be the game- winner after latching on to Takeyhi Walker’s precision pass from midfield and lobbing the onrushing Nigel Burgess, the Parish goalkeeper.

Parish did not panic, though, and nearly equalised when Shayne Hollis, the midfielder and former Rams player, unleashed a fierce shot from 20 yards that crashed on to the bar.

But just when it seemed as though a Parish goal was imminent, DeShields extended Village’s lead just moments before half-time after shrugging off a tackle on the left wing, racing into the box and steering the ball past Burgess at the near post.

Kieshon Smith, the Parish coach, did his best to rally his troops at the break. But it did not matter as Village were simply too good on the day.

After threatening on a few occasions, the home side put the match farther beyond reach when DeShields controlled a cross in the box and fired past Burgess to complete his hat-trick and claim the match ball.

Substitute Bean picked up where DeShields left off after the latter was substituted.

Bean made it 4-0 from the penalty spot after Jahron Dickinson, the Rams midfielder, was brought down in the area by another former Village player, Neil Robinson, who was the most senior player on the pitch.

Bean grabbed a second goal when he controlled a cross on his chest and smashed the ball past Burgess all in stride.

Village saved the best for last, with Burgess, the centre half, thundering home an audacious 25-yard free kick that flew into the far top corner past the outstretched hands of his cousin.