Hamilton Parish 1 North Village 3

Two late goals by substitute Tafari Outerbridge and Ralph Bean Jr. put the brake on North Village's recent slide yesterday.

The defending league champions went into the clash at Lord's having registered two consecutive losses.

But just when an enterprising Parish team looked as though they might add to the Village woes by snatching a share of the points, Outerbridge broke the 1-1 deadlock after 82 minutes and then Bean came through with the killer blow two minutes later.

Village coach Scott Morton insisted last week that his team had to win this match in order to keep alive their chances of repeating as champions, and while they displayed some sign of that championship quality, it would be hard to argue with Parish fans that their team didn't deserve more.

The Hot Peppers matched their opponents throughout, holding a slight territorial advantage.

But goals are what count and Village, thanks to the hard work of midfielder Kentoine Jennings, came away with three - Jennings having a hand in each one.

Their opener came from Kaiwon Dill while Lorenzo Simmons netted for Parish, both of these goals coming in the first half.

Dill's goal put Village ahead on eight minutes with the striker netting after combining with Jennings who started in midfield - a tactical move following the team's ineptitude in this area during the previous loss to Devonshire Colts.

Village should then have gone 2-0 ahead two minutes later but Ralph Bean made a mess of a cross from Dill, firing wide from close range with just goalkeeper Nigel Burgess to beat.

After being let off the hook, Parish came into the game more, growing confidence and threatening while going forward.

Village had another chance after 20 minutes when midfielder Jamaul Boyles' rocket from 18 yards was sensationally pulled down by goalkeeper Burgess, but Parish remained competitive.

After 26 minutes right full back Jahmiko Marshall watched as his blast from 22 yards was brilliantly palmed over the top by Village ‘keeper Zane Hendrickson and eight minutes later Parish were frustrated once again when Yusef Pitt's shot from an angle on the right was pushed away for a corner.

But it was from that corner that Parish got the goal they deserved with Simmons finally forcing the ball over the line after the defence had failed to clear.

Village players then breathed a sigh of relief as Vince Minors' blast from 18 yards whistled just over the bar.

First-half honours probably belonged to Parish and three chances that came their way when play re-started proved they meant business.

After 55 minutes Irving Burgess was put through on a breakaway but placed his shot tamely wide of goal as Hendrickson advanced off his line and 10 minutes later Pitt's fierce header from a Simmons cross went just wide.

This was followed up by Ernest Signor's 20-yard curling shot which had Hendrickson stretching as he tipped the ball over for a corner.

Village, however, settled down after this onslaught and with Jennings and Boyles prominent in the middle began to move forward with purpose.

They eased the anxieties of coach Morton after 82 minutes when Burgess dived to save a firmly struck header by Jennings and as the defence struggled to get the ball away Outerbridge steered it over the line.

Two minute later Bean finished sharply from a cross by Jennings and as if the two-goal lead wasn't sufficient, Bean then forced Burgess to dive to pull off another fine save.

Hamilton Parish: N.Burgess; E.Signor, N.Robinson, J.Marshall, D.Signor; L.Raynor (L.Robinson, 60 mins), D.Crockwell (Clevon Hill, 23 mins), V.Minors; L.Simmons (D.Simmons, 73 mins), Y.Pitt, I.Burgess. Subs not used: P.Webb, C.Woods.

North Village: Z.Hendridson; Kofi Dill, M.Hansey, K.Binns, L.Alexander; J.Boyles, Kent.Jennings, G.Augustus (Q.Paynter, 45 mins), D.Warren; R.Bean, Kaiwon Dill (T.Outerbridge, 73 mins). Subs not used: D.Thomas, J.Thomas.

Yellow cards: Hamilton Parish - Y.Pitt, D.Crockwell, E.Signor, J.Marshall; Village - Kaiwon Dill, Kofi Dill, Q.Paynter, R.Bean.

Men of the match: Ernest Signor (Parish); Kentoine Jennings (Village).

Referee: George O'Brien.