In a match that would have severely stretched the patience of even the most ardent soccer fan, North Village were able to emerge with a victory on Saturday night which lifted them to fourth in the First Division standings.

"We'll take it! God, we'll take it!'' were the groans from the Red Devils' bench as referee Rex Osborne blew the final whistle.

Still, those muted words could easily have been of thanks...thanks for the merciful ending of a match which had become a painful charade, one in which neither side showed much initiative and the combined number of shots on goal could be counted on one hand.

Add to that the fact that two of those shots were penalties -- one was converted by Village's Derek Bell -- and the picture becomes clear.

The tone had been set much earlier with the onset of heavy winds and an occasional splattering of rain that made for less than ideal conditions.

PHC were gifted an early opportunity to take the lead as Village centre-back Clifford Roberts handled in the penalty area in the fifth minute.

Damon Francis and Winston (Herb) Trott had combined on the right side resulting in the former supplying the cross that Roberts allowed to hit his wrist.

Trott stepped up to take the spot kick, but was left to agonise as he watched his effort sail well over the crossbar, to the delight of Carlyle Crockwell in the Village goal.

Crockwell would have a busy time after the miss as Shawn Simons hit the crossbar and Trott had a header saved off the line.

However, just as PHC appeared to be finding their rhythm Village struck when Osborne awarded the visitors a penalty.

PHC goalkeeper Ty Williams was adjudged to have held Sean Dill as the pair challenged for a high ball. Bell made no mistake from the spot, rifling the ball low to the right of Williams.

The goal would prove the only highlight of the contest. In the second half PHC attacked Village almost at will but were unable to penetrate a `bend but don't break' defence.

Village managed a few counter attacks which amounted to little and were, for the most part, content to sit back and defend their slim lead.

PHC: T.Williams: D.Francis, F.Ming, D.Outerbridge, M.Wade; B.Bean, S.Ming, K.Mills; R.Lightbourne, S.Simons (J.Robinson 68 mins), W.Trott (M.Roberts 60 mins) North Village: C.Crockwell; K.Grant, D.Bell, C.Roberts, K.Simons; C.Sabir, E.Jennings, S.Franks (M.Hansey 76 mins), S.Dill; C.Furbert (D.Rogers 80 mins), D.Robinson Referee: Rex Osborne Men of the match: Damon Francis (PHC), Chris Sabir (North Village)