Top of the Second Division for most of last season, Wolves now find themselves tied for first place in the First Division after stretching their unbeaten start to the season to three matches at Wellington Oval yesterday.

This clash between last season's two promoted teams was decided by Dion Wainwright's 49th minute penalty, awarded after Nathan Webb was brought down by Alvin Baker as he dribbled into the Parish penalty area.

And while Wolves are tied for first place with Southampton Rangers and Devonshire Colts, Parish find themselves anchored at the bottom after three straight losses. Coach Ricky Hill must now be wondering if there is anything he can add to the team in a player-coach capacity.

The Hot Peppers showed plenty of enthusiasm during the opening minutes when they held a slight edge as Hewvonnie Brown was called on to make an early save at the far post to deny Corey Hill.

Another good chance was created for Hill in the 15th minute when Irving Burgess pushed forward from his wide midfield position and crossed to the far post where Tori Davis cleared before Hill could connect.

After that Wolves got more into the game as the contest evened out. They carried that increased momentum into the second half and just four minutes after the restart scored what turned out to be the winner when Webb rode a challenge from Clevon Hill before Baker brought him down.

Only some important saves by Davis in the Parish goal kept the scoreline close as Parish faded in the second half. They made a double substitution in the 70th minute as Larry Allen and Eugene Smith came on for Clevon Hill and Shane Burgess.

But with only three substitutes -- the other being goalkeeper Andre Godfrey -- Parish were made to pay for their lack of numbers as Corey Hill limped off with a knee injury in the 79th minute, leaving his team to finish the game with 10 men.

Before Hill's exit, Parish came close to an equaliser when Taurianno Trott cleared off the line from a corner.

At the other end Davis plucked a goalbound volley from substitute Jared Peniston out of the air as Wolves kept up the pressure to the end.

Ham. Parish: C.Davis; A.Baker, D.Burgess, R.Davis, C.Caisey, I.Burgess, T.Webb, C.Hill (L.Allen 70 mins), S.Burgess (E.Smith 70 mins), S.Dill, C.Hill.

Wolves: H.Brown; T.Trott, T.Davis, L.Hypolite, N.Smith, P.Sampson, D.Wainwright (J.Peniston 72 mins), K.Smith (S.Laws 85 mins), M.Dill, N.Webb, E.Weldon.

Referee: Lyndon Raynor Men of the match: Cymande Davis (Parish), Taurianno Trott (Wolves).

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