(Town won 4-1 on aggregate) The New Year's Day final of the Dudley Eve Trophy proved somewhat of an anti-climax compared to an exciting first leg on Thursday night, but one could not deny Dandy Town the joy of their first title of any sort in more than three years.

With the triumph, Town -- heels kicking and fists pumping -- confounded critics and naysayers, many of which predicted an early exit for the Hornets, who entered the holiday tournament as decided underdogs.

Having failed to achieve victory in four of their previous six matches and without the services of head coach Mark Trott, the picture appeared bleak indeed.

Nevertheless, the men from St. John's Road proved themselves to be the class of the tournament, using style, flair and great determination and were duly rewarded.

"It's a nice feeling (to be champions),'' said acting coach Anthony Manders, savouring the title. "The team worked hard. This took a lot of guts and a good mental attitude.

"We were the underdogs and a lot of people thought we'd be the first ones out, but we proved ourselves and hopefully can continue it into the second half (of the season).'' There was little doubt regarding the outcome as Town carried a 3-1 advantage into Saturday's match and never did Village look like working their way back into contention.

Striker Carlos Smith put an exclamation point on the proceedings when he scored a well-taken goal six minutes into the second half, springing the Town faithful into a spirited rendition of their victory song: "When The (Dandy) Town Goes Marching In''.

"We did all we could, but our best was just not good enough,'' said Village's director of coaching Joe Trott.

"We talked about it and motivated them (team), and left it up to them to go out and do it.

"Their (Town's) tactics worked and ours didn't.'' Still a sizeable crowd at Wellington Oval hoping to be further entertained as they welcomed in 1994 had to be disappointed -- unless they were fans of Dandy Town -- in the quality of execution performed by both parties.

Troy Lewis of the Hornets failed to capitalise on two early opportunities.

In the third minute he missed his shot after Smith had found him free in the opposing penalty area and moments later Lewis allowed Red Devils' goalkeeper Dwayne Adams to save off the former's head, again from close range.

Meanwhile, Village created most danger from corner kicks, with midfielder Rahji Edness nearly drawing them a goal back in the sixth minute when he had his goal-bound half-volley scrambled off the line by fullback Lloyd Christopher after Kevin Jennings had supplied the cross.

A minute later Kevin's brother Kentoine Jennings side-footed another left-wing corner by the former inches over the crossbar.

For the rest of the half play rarely rose above mediocre. Town, with a two goal edge were content to rest on their lead, while Village, reeling from having to play five matches in the space of 10 days, simply had nothing left in the tank.

But in all the darkness, Smith was able to produce a spark, his speed a constant menace to a down-trodden Village defence.

Following the break Smith laid things to rest with a solo effort against the run of play. He collected a failed clearance 25 yards away from goal, easily side-stepped centre-back Irving Romaine, before placing a firm right-foot shot past Adams.

All that remained was the victory march and Town concluded the day circling the field, displaying the silverware they last held in 1987.

Dandy Town: C.Davis; L.Christopher, W.Campbell, T.Durham, W.Rudo; P.Cann, T.Lewis (D.Lewis 61 mins), D.Boyles, K.Martin; L.Furbert, C.Smith.

North Village: D.Adams; W.Bassett, I.Romaine, Ken.Jennings, D.Bell; R.Edness, Kev.Jennings, E.Jennings; D.Wade, R.Hill (S.Goater 61 mins), L.Raynor (S.Dill 59 mins).

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Carlos Smith (Dandy Town), Kentoine Jennings (North Village).

ON THE RAMPAGE -- Dandy Town striker Carlos Smith, left, prepares to shoot his side into the lead after leaving Village defender Irving Romaine in his wake during Saturday's Dudley Eve Trophy final.