Two defensive errors at Wellington Oval proved costly for bottom team Hamilton Parish as Village remained tied on points with first placed Vasco.

The Red Devils, while controlling the vast majority of play, had to be content with goals early in the first half and late in the second after Parish paid for two bad mistakes.

The home team, looking to build on their win over Southampton Rangers in their last game before Christmas, dug themselves in a hole in the opening minutes.

And when goalkeeper Cymande Davis was ejected midway through the first half, they made it even easier for Village.

Parish's preparations began poorly with Davis pencilled in as a sub after arriving just a few minutes before the start. Coach Ricky Hill put himself down as goalkeeper.

However, late changes just before the start saw Davis replace Hill in goal and Phillion Webb, who was on the field and ready to start, called off in place of Hill who started up front. Webb quietly collected his bag and walked off towards the changing room.

Seven minutes into the match, Davis made a fatal error which led to the opening goal. The goalkeeper blocked a shot from Neil (Diamond) Robinson and with the ball harmlessly still in front of him, defender Ryan Evans touched it with his boot. As soon as Davis picked the ball up, the alert Gary Cook blew him down for collecting a backpass.

Ten yards from the goal-line Village prepared to take their free kick as Parish had their entire team on the line. Still, Jamal (Mouse) Smith found a way through when he followed up the touch back by Robinson to drive the ball home.

Davis further hurt his team in the 20th minute when he wandered out of his penalty area when the ball was upfield. He was caught out of position when Village launched a quick attack and Kevin Jennings, spotting Davis out of his goal, tried to chip the ball over his head.

Davis was denied a sure goal as he committed a handball outside the box and his first appearance of the year ended abruptly when the red card came out.

Hill then found himself in goal after all after borrowing Davis' jersey. And the veteran handled himself adequately between the posts as Village were denied on several promising raids.

Hill came out towards the edge of his box to block a shot from Kevin Jennings who was later booked for a bad challenge as the two went for a 50-50 ball.

Jennings, with his speed, was a threat to the Parish defenders, and when Jamel Dill miskicked in the 39th minute, Jennings was again through and on his way to goal before blasting just inches over the bar from 20 yards.

Village were virtually camped in Parish's half late in the first half but could not add to their early strike. In injury time Jamaul Boyles also went close when he created space for himself inside the box before shooting well over.

Sloppy Parish made to pay From Page 23 Village's dominance continued in the second half but when Kuma Smith went close at the other end for Parish, it served as a wake-up call for the visitors.

A minute later Village went upfield and added to their lead.

Dangerman Jennings again broke through after a mix-up between Chris Caisey and Jamel Dill enabled him to pick up possession.

With a direct path to goal, Jennings was quickly in the penalty box and when Hill did not advance out of his six-yard box, Jennings confidently blasted home from close range.

A similar scenerio played itself out in the 83rd minute when Dill was again guilty of sloppy defending. Jennings took the ball off him and raced towards goal, but this time Hill advanced to narrow the angle and the low shot just missed the near post.

Parish: C.Davis; R.Evans, C.Caisey, A.Baker, J.Dill, A.Webb (T.Webb 55 mins), L.Raynor, K.Smith, D.Smith (J.Smith 72 mins), J.Dill, R.Hill, S.Dill (S.Bell 72 mins).

Village: N.Steede; P.Mahoney, R.Spence, J.Thomas, R.Edness, D.Jennings, S.Goater (J.Jennings 40 mins), J.Boyles, K.Jennings (J.Samuels 84 mins), N.Robinson, J.Smith (A.Simons 70 mins).

Referee: Gary Cook.

Men of the match: Kuma Smith (Parish), Kevin Jennings (Village).