North Village 2 X-Roads 3

X-Roads are proving to be North Village’s bogey team after this come-from-behind win at Bernard Park made it three wins in three league matches against the Rams since they were promoted to the Premier Division last season.

Donavan Thompson and Jahron Dickinson, who appear to be good shrewd summer signings from St George’s, scoring the goals that made it two wins out of two this campaign.

Thompson opened the scoring late in the first half and then netted the winner from close range late in the second half after Village had fought back to take the lead with two goals in three minutes either side of the half.

X-Roads coach Farid El Karfa, whose side beat Village 2-1 and 4-2 last season, is happy with the start to the new season, with Thompson taking his tally to four goals in two matches and Dickinson making it two in two.

“They gave us the strength we were lacking last season, so I’m happy with how they are performing for the team,” El Karfa said. “They’ve got the right attitude, right character and are definitely adding something to the team this season.

“That’s what we were lacking last season, a little bit more edge up front. The team is complete at this point.

“I’m very proud of the team’s effort today. We went down but the team kept their heads up and kept fighting to get back in the game and we did it with two goals in five or six minutes that put us ahead again. It was a very good fight.”

Village were forced into a substitution after only 13 minutes when striker Giniko Butterfield went off injured and was replaced by Patraic Castle.

Thompson opened the scoring when Patrick Richardson, another signing from Hamilton Parish, knocked the ball back into the box after a free kick on the right and Thompson steered his low shot into the far corner, past Zane Hendrickson, who was a late replacement in goal for Tahj Bell.

Village were back level just before the break when captain Pierre Smith swung a cross back into the middle and Tahmi Williams side-footed home at the far post.

The second half was less than two minutes old when Village went in front for the first time, with defender Terryn Fray hitting the perfect ball towards the edge of the penalty box, where veteran Keith Jennings lobbed first time over goalkeeper Dashun Cooper, who was caught off his line.

The game was wide open after that, as X-Roads pressed hard for an equaliser and Village looked to extend their lead. The visiting side turned the match on its head with two goals in five minutes.

Jahron Dickinson, who had strong claims for a penalty turned down by referee Garic Swainson in the 28th minute when he went down under a challenge from Kwan Smith, scored against his former team in the 73rd minute after taking a pass inside the box with his back to goal before turning and steering a right-footed shot past Hendrickson.

Thompson put the icing on the cake with the winner a few minutes later, scoring from close range after Village failed to clear a goalmouth scramble.

“I’m very happy, it’s all about the team,” a delighted Thompson said. “These guys believe in me. Without them, I wouldn’t get these goals. The coach is training us hard, and he plays a big role.

“It’s not about me, but all these men behind me. I want to get the most goals and at least qualify for Dudley Eve.

“If we can win a trophy, good. I’m very happy with the way things are going. Six points? I can’t complain.”

SCORERS

North Village

Williams 44, Jennings 47

X-Roads

Thompson 39, 79

Dickinson 73

TEAMS

North Villagem (4-3-3): Z Hendrickson — K Knights, T Fray, J Davis, Z Hendrickson (sub: K Evans, 74min) — J Briers, T Williams, K Jennings — G Butterfield (sub: P Castle, 13), K Smith (sub: J Thomas, 65), P Smith. Substitutes not used: D Dillas, S Jennings. Booked: Evans.

X-Roads (4-4-2): D Cooper — L Simmons, J Furbert, K Wilkinson, O Williams — T Daniels, D Baker (sub: K Brangman, 55), P Richardson (sub: J Sanchez, 66), A Burgess (sub: K Hamilton, 72) — D Thompson, J Dickinson. Substitutes not used: R Beek, T Lowe, T Smith, N Johnston.

Referee: G Swainson.