Hamilton Parish 2 Dandy Town 3

Dandy Town fought back from a goal down to subdue Hamilton Parish in a five-goal thriller at PHC Field last night, securing a place in the Friendship Trophy final.

Parish took an early lead through double scorer Leroy Lewis Jr, but goals from David Jones Jr, Nizigh Spence and captain Tomiko Goater ensured Town will face 14-times champions PHC in the New Year's Day title decider at Somerset Cricket Club.

Lewis had a golden opportunity to give Parish the lead in the twelfth minute when he went one-on-one with Town goalkeeper Toran Place but produced a tame effort that was easily dealt with.

In the 22nd minute, Parish left back Jordan Outerbridge delivered a precise cross, which Lewis slotted past Place from close range to open the scoring.

Town equalised on the half-hour mark when Jones capitalised on a cross from the left by Jahkari Furbert. On the stroke of half-time, Furbert delivered another inviting ball into the box, but his team-mates failed to convert, allowing the Parish defence to clear and leave the scores level at the break.

Spence gave Town the lead in the 65th minute. Parish failed to clear Furbert’s cross, and amid the goalmouth scramble, Spence pounced to fire the ball into the net.

Goater extended Town's advantage in the 74th minute, taking advantage of a lapse in Parish’s defence to dink the ball over goalkeeper Nigel Burgess.

Parish pulled a goal back in the 78th minute when Lewis struck a superb free kick from the edge of the box, raising hopes of forcing extra time. However, Town held firm to maintain their one-goal advantage and secure the win.

The victory continued Town’s impressive form, as the Hornets have not lost a match since their 1-0 league defeat to North Village on October 6.

SCORERS

Hamilton Parish: Lewis 22, 78

Dandy Town: Jones 30, Spence 65, Goater 74

TEAMS

Hamilton Parish (4-3-3): N Burgess 6 – A Nelson 6, J Outerbridge 6, Q Outerbridge 6, Y Ramirez 6 – Z Burgess 6 (sub: K Knights, 82), N Brockington 5 (sub: D Richardson, 57 5), J Bell 6 – L Lewis 7, S Hollis 5 (sub: J Commissiong, 69 5), T Burgess 5. Substitutes not used: K Trott, S McKittrick, C Binnie. Booked: Richardson.

Dandy Town (4-3-3): T Place 6 – E Outerbridge 6 (sub: L Outerbridge, 68), E Blankendal 6, D Leverock 7, T Webb 6 – J Samuels 6, N Spence 7, T Goater 7 – J Furbert 7, D Jones 7, N Ntalu 5 (sub: A Trott, 83), Spence 7. Substitutes not used: J Manders, A Lewis, A Trott, E Moore, A Daniels. Booked: Goater, Ntalu, Spence, Webb, Trott.

Referee: A Majors.