North Village 3 Somerset Trojans 1

North Village climbed up to third in the table after two second-half goals completed a come-from-behind victory over Somerset Trojans at Bernard Park yesterday.

Pierre Smith’s goal just before half-time wiped out Jaz Ratteray-Smith’s opener for Trojans midway through the half.

Keishen Bean put Village in front as Somerset anticipated the whistle to be blown for an injury to Malachi Jones early in the second half.

However, Village continued playing and Bean took a pass before outpacing defender Trevin Ming and driving the ball past goalkeeper Yizharyah Williams just as Ming gave him a desperate shove in the back to try and put him off his stride.

Village added a third through Shayne Hollis late on for their fifth win of the season.

“In the second half we just said, ‘Let’s stick to the game plan, keep our shape, show some discipline and pick up the ball speed that they set,” said Randy Spence, the Village assistant coach.

“They allowed us to play out of the back and we were getting frustrated and playing a lot of long balls. Somerset did have a few chances but the game is about finishing.

“We had a few chances where we could have put it away, but we’re at home and we have a different mentality at home. We don’t like losing.”

Somerset, boosted by their first win last weekend, looked full of confidence early on as Jaz Ratteray-Smith had a shot from an angle in the box tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Tahj Bell. Then brother Jadan Ratteray-Smith put a shot wide of the far post from a similar position.

The midfielder set up his brother for the opening goal after sliding a ball into the box for Jaz to run on and steer his shot into the far bottom.

Village went close in the 44th minute when Bean’s free kick from 25 yards hit the crossbar. Seconds later they were level when Smith headed home a cross from the right, injuring himself in the process after colliding with goalkeeper Williams.

Somerset felt hard done by when Village took the lead, their bench calling for someone to kick the ball out after an injury to Jones on the halfway line. However, Village continued playing with Bean going on to score. Coach Danvers Seymour voiced his displeasure in an exchange of words with referee Martin Wyer.

Jones wasted a good chance to equalise for Somerset minutes later after Justin Corday’s shot on the turn inside the box was blocked by Bell before Jones followed up to put the rebound wide from 12 yards.

Hollis made certain of the victory when he calmly slotted the ball past Williams in the 79th minute after being put clear inside the area.

Village opted for some extra experience in midfield when they gave veteran Keith Jennings, now 40, his first start after joining the team from Village’s Corona League side.

“Keith’s got lots of experience and that’s good for the team,” Spence said. “He just showed up to training one day and said he wanted to finish his football here, back home at North Village.

“The team welcomed him, he’s only here for a few games before he goes back to the UK soon.”

TEAMS

North Village (4-3-3): T Bell — A Johnston, T Wilson, K Knights, J Thomas — D Daniels, J Briers, K Jennings (sub: M Thomas, 70min) — S Hollis, P Smith (sub: Z Hendrickson 80), K Bean (sub: D Dillas 84). Substitutes not used: T Durham, L Dill, P Castle. Booked: Wilson.

Somerset Trojans (4-3-3): Y Williams — R Quinn, S Brangman, T Ming, J Seymour — C Durham (sub: V Perinchief 77), Jordan Ratteray-Smith, M Jones (sub: J Butterfield 74) — J Corday (sub: R Simmons 90), Jaz Ratteray-Smith, L Burgess. Substitutes not used: J Morrissey, A Charles, T Bean. Booked: Seymour, Jones.

Referee: M Wyer.