North Village 1

Southampton Rangers 3

Rangers came from behind to pull off the surprise result of the day at Bernard Park yesterday and earn their second successive Premier Division victory.

Having gone a goal down to a Dwight (Payback) Warren strike midway through the first half, Rangers hit back with goals from Meshach Wade, Travis Wilkinson and Janeiro Tucker to stun the Red Devils.

Village enjoyed the majority of possession but lacked the ingenuity to break down a dogged Rangers rearguard.

Indeed, so well did his colleagues defend that Rangers goalkeeper Dwayne (Streaker) Adams enjoyed a quiet afternoon on a triumphant return to his old club.

It was the dynamic Meshach Wade, another former Village player, who inspired Rangers to victory. As well as dominating the midfield, Wade popped up in attack and defence and barked no-nonsense orders at his team-mates to keep them on their toes.

The game kicked off half an hour late because one of the referees' assistants failed to show. Gerald Simons volunteered to be the 11th-hour stand-in official and did a sterling job.

A quiet first quarter ended with the home side taking the lead in the 22nd minute. Warren tricked his way into the box and passed to Qunicy Paynter and though he was tackled by Julian Caisey, the loose ball fell kindly for Warren who shot past Adams from 15 yards.

Rangers, though, were looking dangerous on the break and it was no surprise when they equalised on 33 minutes. Ottis Steede broke down the right and his low cross found the rampaging Wade all alone at the far post and he slid home the equaliser.

Village hit back and were inches from reclaiming the lead when Warren's first-time shot went just wide after a defence-splitting pass with the outside of the foot by Kentoine Jennings.

But the game turned on a controversial decision just before the break. Referee Richard Knight pointed to the spot for handball after a long throw-in was controlled by Kofi Dill. Rangers' Wilkinson kept his cool amid the Village protests to slot the penalty into the bottom left-hand corner.

Village came out fighting after the break and almost equalised in the 46th minute, but Michael Hansey's shot was cleared off the line.

Then Adams showed his class when he dived full length to pluck a goalbound Ralph Bean volley from the air.

Rangers continued to hit their opponents on the break and extended their lead in the 58th minute after the fleet-footed Rohaan Simons was fouled by Jamaul Boyles.

Steede drove in the resulting free kick from the right and Tucker stormed in to send a powerful header into the net.

After that, Rangers comfortably soaked up all Village could throw at them and the cheers of their happy band of supporters on the final whistle may herald better times in 2004 for Southampton.

North Village: Z.Hendrickson, J.Thomas, L.Alexander (K.Dill 21 mins), K.Binns (T.Outerbridge 60 mins), M.Hansey, J.Boyles, R.Bean, Ken.Jennings, Q.Paynter, K.Bean (J.Davis 66 mins), D.Warren.

Southampton Rangers: D.Adams, M.Wade, P.Brangman, K.Tucker (G.Simons 84 mins); O.Steede, J.Tucker (H.Dillas 76 mins), N.Grant, T.Wilkinson, D.Bailey, J.Caisey, R.Simons.

Man of the match: Meshach Wade (Rangers)

Yellow cards: M.Wade, O.Steede (Rangers)

Referee: R.Knight