North Village were comfortable winners yesterday without being at their best, which suggests a long season ahead for newly-promoted St. David's.

The Islanders made five changes from their last outing against Wolves as injuries and suspension hit hard. But Village hit them even harder and the margin of victory would have been wider had Village not missed a penalty for the second time in five days.

This time Michael Hansey -- the culprit in midweek -- watched as Neil (Diamond) Robinson blasted well over from the spot after Elliott Jennings had been bundled over in the box by Chauncey Smith in the 20th minute. The decision by ref Richard Knight was hotly disputed and St.David's claimed justice was done when Robinson missed.

But they never capitalised on that break and just four minutes later Village did find the net to take the lead, after which they never looked back. A ball into the box opened the St. David's defence for Sergio Goater to blast home from an angle.

One of the best chances for St. David's came on the half hour when winger Keimo Bean's cross from the left caused Zane Hendrickson in the Village goal some problems as it looked headed for the far corner. But the youngster was equal to the task, slapping the ball away for a corner.

Two goals in the space of two minutes late in the half put paid to any St.

David's hopes of a fightback. Robinson made amends for the penalty miss by scoring the second in the 39th minute with a low shot inside the keeper's right-hand post.

Substitute Tafari Outerbridge made a quick impression, scoring in the 41st minute with a back post header from a Cal Dill corner on the right.

Outerbridge had only been on the field a minute, having replaced Omar Ray. St.

David's 'keeper Sidney Millett had to dive backwards to keep out a cross from Rahji Edness early in the second half as Village went back on the attack.

Moments later Goater tried a chip shot from the edge of the box but Minors was equal to the task, turning the ball over the bar for a corner.

With the Village midfield running the show, Outerbridge found the net again in the 62nd minute when a quick break saw the unmarked Outerbridge get through on the left before tucking a low shot into the net. At the other end Hendrickson was quickly off his line to block a shot from Aaron Crockwell, but otherwise the chances were few for St. David's whose attack again lacked penetration. In three games they have managed just one goal and have already conceded 11.

St. David's: S.Minors; D.Stovell, D.Musson, F.Sewell (K.Lambe 46 mins), C.Smith, K.Fray (D.Hollis 82 mins), A.Lugo, A.Bartley (A.Crockwell 64 mins), M.James, C.Simmons, K.Bean.

North Village: Z.Hendrickson; M.Hansey, J.Thomas, K.Binns, R.Edness, J.Boyles (M.Dill 55 mins), S.Goater, C.Dill (L.Simmons 76 mins), E.Jennings, O.Ray (T.Outerbridge 40 mins), N.Robinson.

Referee: Richard Knight Men of the match: Sidney Minors (St. David's), Sergio Goater (Village).

Yellow cards: Chae Simmons, Keimo Bean, Aaron Lugo (St. David's); Neil Robinson (Village).

Red cards: None.

The Premier Division match between Wolves and Dandy Town at Devonshire Rec.

was postponed yesterday because of the funeral of Wolves fan Treadwell Smith who collapsed on the pitch at Somerset Cricket Club last Tuesday night after celebrating his team's Martonmere Cup semi-final victory over North Village.

Smith was a founding member of Wolves.