Village work overtime for thrilling win: Friendship Trophy
North Village snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, coming back from a goal down in extra-time, scoring twice and denying what appeared a certain win for Boulevard.
The Blazers dominated every facet of the game, but continually shot themselves in the foot and paid the ultimate price. Left wearing the goat tag was centre-back Mitchell Trott, who produced two costly errors that resulted in goals for the Red Devils.
Trott literally handed Village the lead in the 27th minute when a miscommunication between he and goal-keeper Andre Hendrickson resulted in the former scoring in his own net.
Though stung by the gaffe, Boulevard continued to march forward at will, stretching Village's defence, which had much work on this night.
The score that shunned the Blazers finally came in the 76th minute, as goalkeeper Dwayne Adams made a rare error with a failed punch clearance that resulted in the ball dropping to the feet of Rodney Bascome, who sidefooted the ball into an open goal.
The score remained even at the end of regulation, precipitating extra-time and Boulevard wasted little time in taking their first lead, Stevie Wade beating Adams on one-on-one encounter.
But Village weren't dead as Trott again erred, this time fouling Elliott Jennings, leaving referee Cal Simons no choice but to award a penalty, which Sean Dill converted for a 2-2 tie.
Michael Hansey soon emerged as the hero for Village, his cross from the right being helped over the line by Hendrickson for the winner.
Paget 1, Prospect 1 (After extra time. Prospect won 4-2 on penalties) Prospect advanced to the next round of the Shield competition after a bruising battle against Paget in the curtain raiser.
Penalty kicks finally decided the contest, with the men in blue more adept at converting theirs. Lawrence Holder gave Prospect a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute of them opening half.
Yet Paget responded in gritty fashion, pressing forward in droves to begin the second half and being rewarded in the 54th minute as Terrence Christopher rose high to smartly head home a Dale Russell cross past goalkeeper Colin Paynter.
The match meandered into extra-time with no side able to convert the winner, dictating penalties as the decider. Tyrone Douglas, Tracy Adams, Holder and Dwayne Leverock each tallied for Prospect, while misses by Sammy Maybury and Chris Wright doomed Paget.