Dandy Town 2 Wolves 3

Dandy Town's defence of the Premier Division crown got off to an inauspicious start as Wolves upset the reigning champions 3-2 at St. John's Field yesterday.

After sleepwalking through the first 45 minutes and finding themselves trailing to a Brandon O'Riordan goal, the visitors came out for the second half like a hungry pack of . . . well, Wolves.

Two quick strikes following the break from Peter Sampson and Adam Outerbridge, and another midway through the final stanza from substitute Che Simmons eventually laid waste to the Hornets, who resembled an army MASH unit, with several regulars among the walking wounded.

Yet, despite all adversity it was the home side who began the stronger side, testing Wolves' defence early and often, with new addition Rodney Bascome showing glimpses of the form that once made him one of the most feared strikers in local soccer.

Bascome tested Wolves' goalkeeper Michael Higgs after only two minutes with a touch lob that Higgs did well to tip over the bar.

Higgs failed in his duties after 22 minutes, allowing an intended right-wing cross from O'Riordan to slip through his fingers into the back of the net, much to the consternation of coach Dennis Brown and the rest of the team.

Conversely, the Hornets were buzzing about at will, creating gaping holes in a makeshift Wolves' defence that had Nakia Smith, normally a forward, occupying the centre-back position alongside Anthony Thomas.

Mark Trott exposed further their failings in the 32nd minute, slipping inside and firing a left-footed thunderbolt that barely missed going in after crashing off the underside of the crossbar.

Town went into the break content with a goal lead, but they were soon rocked as first Sampson tapped in the equaliser less than a minute into the second half after Outerbridge had laid the groundwork, and a minute later Outerbridge himself did the honoursf, getting on the end of a Jamel Simmons free kick that Town were lax in clearing.

Bascome drew Town back level at 2-2 with a 15-yard tracer that found its way into the low right corner past Higgs.

It was then left to Che Simmons to settle matters from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Ryan Swan in the 71st minute. Simmons rose from the deck to convert the spot kick, and Wolves held on for a morale boosting victory.

"Our intention was to get off to a good start," said coach Brown, whose half-time tongue lashing obviously got through to the squad.

"With eight teams in the league and two going down, it's imperative to get off early, and there's no better way than to do it against the defending champions.

"We showed that when we want to play we can play with anybody. One thing I want to work on now is our consistency."

Dandy Town: J.Smith; B.O'Riordan, C.Azhar (J.Marshall 69 mins), K.Mundy, R.Swan, L.Furbert; K.Hurdle, R.Tucker (N.Albouy 81 mins); R.Bascome, M.Trott (S.Smith 46 mins), P.Cann.

Wolves: M.Higgs; J.Douglas, N.Smith, A.Thomas, J.Simmons; K.Butterfield, M.Ray, A.Outerbridge; J.Peniston, V.Minors, P.Sampson (C.Simmons 51 mins).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men of the Match: Rodney Bascome (Dandy Town), Nakia Smith (Wolves).