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Devonshire Colts stand between North Village and glory

Hunting for more goals: Jonté Smith will be looking to extend his goal tally against Devonshire Colts (Photograph by Ras Mykkal)

North Village interim head Calvin Dill Jr is eager to wrap up the Premier Division title with one game to spare.

Village meet Devonshire Colts at Police Field on Sunday afternoon knowing a victory will see Dill’s side crowned champions.

If results do not go their way this weekend, the Pembroke-based team will have to do it the hard way against champions PHC at Bernard Park on the last day of the season.

“We want to go into our final game against PHC with the job done,” Dill told The Royal Gazette.

“While we would like to get the three points, Colts are not an easy team, especially at Police Field. It’s not the best of turfs but we've played on it before. All we have to do is execute our game plan.”

The Rams might win the league before they kick the ball if Dandy Town complete a double over PHC on Saturday night. Kyle Lightbourne’s side won the first meeting 3-0 at Goose Gosling Field in December, and victory on Stadium Lane will bring an end to PHC’s title defence.

“We’re not really focusing on other results because at the end of the day, we have to do our job,’’ the Village interim head coach said.

“We’ll let the other teams do what they have to do, but it boils down to us doing our job. The game is played on the field, all I can ask is my team to give me 100 per cent. If we win the fight, we win the war.

“Our players are hungry to deliver on Sunday. They can see the finish line and they want to cross it.

“We have a squad of 20 and can only pick 18, so I have a bit of a headache when it comes to selection.”

While Village have won all the three matches against their opponents in different competitions, Colts coach Ray Jones has vowed to derail them.

The league leaders took all three points in a 3-0 success at Wellington Oval, before knocking Colts out of the Friendship Trophy and the FA Cup.

“Our intention is to make sure that they don’t celebrate winning the league on our home field,” Jones said.

“We haven’t beaten them all season, so we’re trying to end the season on a good note. We know they’re pushing for the title. We’re expecting another difficult challenge.

“We had good numbers out at training, the boys are enthusiastic. For us to have come out of the First Division and are now looking at a potential top-three finish, that’s motivating enough.”

Jorj Dublin is still doubtful after picking up a hamstring injury in the 2-0 loss to St George’s. The defender will be subject to a late fitness assessment ahead of the match on Sunday.

Facing a menacing Village attack led by Jonté Smith, the league’s top goal scorer with 12 goals, Jones wants to have one of his best defenders on the field. Smith has combined well with Jai Bean and Jones hopes he can call on Dublin to shore up Colts’ defence but admits its a long shot.

“Jorj will be touch-and-go, we do have one more session on Saturday to see if he is fit to play,” the Colts coach said.

“We are happy with the progress that he is making, so that will be a late decision on Saturday after training. There’s a small chance he’ll be involved because his recovery is ahead of schedule.

“Jorj is an important piece to our team, so we’ll give him every opportunity to be involved.

“We have lost Keino Burch for the remaining matches of the season. He suffered a leg fracture when we beat Dandy Town.”

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Published March 29, 2025 at 8:12 am (Updated March 29, 2025 at 8:12 am)

Devonshire Colts stand between North Village and glory

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