North Village 4 Young Men’s Social Club 1

North Village soared back to the top of the Premier Division after cruising to a comfortable win over Young Men’s Social Club at Goose Gosling Field on Wednesday night.

Jonté Smith led the charge with two goals, with Judah Chapman and Kyler Knights also on target for Village. Mical Hardtman replied for Social Club.

Village now head the Premier Division on 25 points, two points clear of Dandy Town, who have a game in hand. PHC are third on 22 points

Cal Dill Jr, the Village coach and former player, was happy to come away with the points.

“I am very pleased with outcome,” Dill told The Royal Gazette.

“I thought we started of a little slow. When we scored first, I thought we would take full control of the match but we didn't and they scored from a corner. I was very pleased in the way we responded to score two quick goals after that.”

Village striker Smith is delighted to see his team regain pole position in what is shaping up to be a close and exciting title race.

“It’s nice to be back at the top of the table but we also know that it’s not completely in our hands, so all we can do is win our games and wait to see what happens,” he said.

Chapman gave Village the lead in the seventh minute when he intercepted the keeper’s intended clearance and fired a low shot from 40 yards into the empty net. Hardtman levelled the scores in the 35th minute when he scored directly from an inswinging corner at the near post.

Smith put Village back in front two minutes later when he headed in London Steede’s corner at the near post before Knights tapped in Terryn Fray’s cross at the back post in the 40th minute to send Village into the break with a two-goal advantage.

Smith then rounded off the scoring in the 57th minute when he held off his marker and thumped a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.

“They key to our victory was that we continued to play our game,” Dill said.

“It could have been more but overall I am glad and the players are enjoying themselves.”

Defeat leaves Social Club eighth in the standings on 11 points, two points above the relegation zone.