The striker’s efforts in the 65th minute, 67th minute and stoppage time were more than enough to get his side to the finish line after new boy Aquino Grant opened the scoring in the 37th, while Village were uncharacteristically made to chase the ball for long spells of the match.“It was a good performance for us and it was important to see how far we come along in regards to our preparation and this was a good marker,” said Simmons. “We want to retain all the cups we won last year and also challenge for the others so this is one that we didn’t have.“The hardest part about any sport is trying to win back to back and we want the league so hopefully things work out in our favour but this was a good match for us to get our feet wet.“A few new players came into the system but also the youngsters that are coming through that will be on show throughout the season got a run-out so we are really just getting everyone into the swing of things and getting ready for what is ahead.”In a game that had little importance in the bigger scheme of things going forward, it was the double-winning champions that looked the more threatening throughout the 90 minutes and took a deserved lead through Grant after a neat build-up down the right.After positioning himself to receive a cut-back, the former PHC striker had the simple task of beating Village’s veteran ‘keeper Dwayne Adams.The lead could have been doubled before the second goal would eventually come, with penalty claims being denied and the woodwork saving the Rams from the score ballooning out of control.Much to the surprise and relief of many Hornets fans, inspirational Village players Jemeiko Jennings and Ralph Bean jr were deployed as central defenders, although it wasn’t their fault how proceedings went.As time wore on a sense of Village snatching something out of nothing was starting to creep in as Town squandered numerous chances, but Simmons strolled onto the scene from his midfield role to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.His first two goals were only minutes apart and ultimately ripped the spine out of Rams, while his third, an effort that Adams let creep past him on his near post, merely threw salt in their wounds and emphasised Town’s superiority throughout the match.“It has felt good to be back to my boyhood club, I am very thankful for every thing I have gotten tonight and also last season. I have to thank my team-mates because without them I wouldn’t be standing where I am today,” added Simmons.“The team is wonderful, we have a great nucleus and a good mixture of youth and experience so we are all excited for the campaign to kick off.”Dandy Town: T Gibbons, S Darrell, D Ming(S Tuzo, 78), A Simmons, A Lowe, F Frankson, K Tucker, A Grant(A Gibbons, 71), K Lathan, Daeshun Butterfield 22 (S Burchall, 71), Kyle Wade 2Subs not used: D Chambers, A Rocker, B Minors, T WebbGoals: Grant, 37, Simmons, 65,67,90North Village: D Adams, K Bean, R Bean, K Talbot, J Davis, J Jennings, K Dill, Corey Boyce 5, Shannon Jennings 4, Raymond Sousa 99 (J Manders, 80), T Watson, T Jennings (P Castle, 72)Yellow: K Dill, T WatsonReferee: A FrancisMan of the Match: A Simmons