DeGraff scorcher sinks Hornets
North Village 1
Dandy Town 0
North Village captain Sammy DeGraff struck a spectacular volley to fire his team into the next round of the FA Cup.
DeGraff's second half scorcher proved to be the difference between the two teams in what was an evenly contested duel at Bernard Park yesterday.
The fabulous finish followed on from some clever interchange play between the Bermuda Hogges midfielder and Ralf Bean, before DeGraff dispatched a 25 yard volley into the top left-hand corner of the net.
Hornets goalkeeper Treadwell Gibbons simply had no chance.
"I saw the keeper off his line slightly and I just concentrated on not hitting it too hard," said DeGraff, who has now scored 10 goals in all competitions this season. "I caught it really sweet and it was nice to score from distance as all my other goals this season have come from inside the 18 box."
DeGraff said it was important for Village to end the year with a win, especially after losing their previous league match against Somerset Eagles.
"People say Village often get nice draws in the cup but this was certainly a tough tie to have to come through," he said.
"We wanted to end the year on a high after losing to Eagles. We're off to our Christmas party now and this victory is certainly something to celebrate."
DeGraff had a great chance just after the break but placed his shot tamely wide of the post after being put through by Bean.
Hornets had their chances to equaliser with winger Lashun Dill twice going close with decent efforts. In the first half Naki Wells almost broke the deadlock from Dill's corner with a brilliant back heel, which flew just over the bar.
North Village - J.Williams, T.Brown (R.Wilson, 78), V. Tankard (J.Sousa, 60), D.Tankard, K.Dill, S.DeGraff, J.Boyles, J.Jennings, P.Smith, J.Lee (T.Fray, 73), R.Bean
Substitutes not used: S. Goater, M.Swan, Z.Hendrickson, T.Outerbridge
Goals: DeGraff, 69
Dandy Town - T.Gibbons, T.Russell (G.Butterfield, 69), G.Dyer, C.Anderson (S.Darrell, 60), J.Peniston, S.Brown, J.Swan, K.Hurdle (L.Tucker, 69), D.Ming, L.Dill, N.Wells
Substitutes not used: M.Crockwell, J.Furbert, R. Wells
Referee: G.O'Brien
Man-of-the-match: K.Dill (Village)