North Village 2 Som. Eagles 0

Clay Smith earned North Village their first league win when his two goals settled this bottom-of-the-table clash at Bernard Park.

Boulevard's win over PHC on Friday night meant that Village and Eagles dropped into the bottom two in the Premier Division standings ahead of yesterday's encounter, separated only by goal difference and with Village the only team in the division without a win.

However, the defending champions set about putting that right when Smith, scorer of a hat-trick as a sub in the 5-5 draw with Devonshire Cougars in their last outing, broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. He was quick to pounce on a mix-up between Eagles defender Desmond Burgess and his goalkeeper Adrian Burgess to nip in between the hesitant pair and poke the ball home from 15 yards.

Sean Simmons, Eagles' key playmaker, came close to wiping out the Village lead two minutes later when he intercepted a pass and ran 20 yards into the penalty area where the advancing Dwayne (Streaker) Adams made a timely challenge.

Both teams fielded late transfer signings, with Keith Jennings returning home to Village from Boulevard and Nakia Smith making his debut for Eagles, though he was mostly ineffective in a wide position on the right in the first half.

Village also welcomed back Keith's brothers, Kentoine and Kevin, from injuries while Dwayne Adams replaced Zane Hendrickson in goal. Village enjoyed a good period midway through the opening half as Daniel Jennings' effort hit the far post, as Eagles pair Dion Woolridge and Musceo Hunt were the first two of six players booked, both for fouls in the space of a minute.

Eagles continued to look threatening on the break in the second half as Sean Simmons shot against the near post after Marlon Dill miskicked in front of goal.

Village wasted two more good chances to extend their lead when Domico Coddington, with the goal at his mercy, saw Burrows deflect his shot away for a corner. Ten minutes later Keith Jennings failed to beat Burrows in a one-on-one with the 'keeper who blocked his effort.

Daniel Jennings needed treatment after suffering a gash on the side of the head following a clash of heads which left him dazed. Then in the closing moments Musceo Hunt went down to a challenge inside the Village box as Eagles' calls for a penalty were ignored by referee Lyndon Raynor. Hunt needed treatment.

With several minutes added on for the injuries, Village wasted two good chances to further extend their lead. Clay Smith started a move which saw Dwight Warren's back heel open the way for Keith Jennings to cap his return to Bernard Park with a goal, but the youngster blasted well over from 18 yards.

Then substitute Jamaul Boyles' lob dropped on top of the netting after he spotted the 'keeper off his line. Smith, playing with a knee injury which is restricting his movement, showed his teammates how to find the net when he collected a square pass from substitute Jawan Thomas, rounded the 'keeper and slotted into an empty net for his fifth goal in two games.

The win moved Village three points away from the bottom spot now occupied by Eagles.

North Village: D.Adams; S.DeShields, M.Dill, M.Hansey, Kent.Jennings, Kei. Jennings, D.Coddington (J.Boyles 69 mins), D.Jennings (J.Thomas 85 mins), C.Smith, D.Warren, K.Dill (Kev.Jennings 46 mins).

Som.Eagles: A.Burrows; A.Lambert, M.Hunt, D.Burgess, D.Woolridge, J.Butterfield, S.Simmons, K.Simmons, N.Smith, S.Dill (R.Wilson 60 mins), D.Dowling.

Booked: K.Dill, Kei.Jennings (Village); D.Woolridge, M.Hunt, N.Smith, D.Burgess (Eagles).

Men of the match: C.Smith (Village), S.Simmons (Eagles).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor.