North Village 3 Dandy Town Hornets 2

North Village survived a late fightback by Dandy Town to reach the semi-finals of the Friendship Trophy at Bernard Park yesterday.

The victory looked assured when Shayne Hollis put Village 3-1 up with five minutes remaining.

However, it turned out to be a nervous finale for the 11-times winners of the competition when Ian Coke pulled it back with a well-struck effort.

Tomiko Goater then watched in agony as his shot through a crowded penalty area hit the far post with the last kick of the game.

“It was a good game, both teams came to play,” said Village coach Devarr Boyles, relieved to get a win against his former team. “We shaded it in the end and hung on at the death.

“It was a fantastic game for the people who came to watch and I’m encouraged by my team’s performance. They are starting to show some fight. In the cup games we need to bring something different and today we did.”

Both teams fielded a number of overseas college students returning home for the festive period.

“They bring something, a little bit more energy and passion,” Boyles said.

“We’re excited they’re back and more importantly we won today, so we get to showcase them a little bit more. We’re happy we’re still in it.”

Village striker Keishen Bean broke the deadlock in the opening minutes when his free kick from 25 yards took a deflection off the wall before finding the bottom corner.

Jaizel Smith-DeShields, one of Village’s college students, had a strong run into the box before placing a low shot just wide of the far post midway through the half as Village hung onto their lead

Moments before the break Angelo Simmons, the Town captain, had two efforts blocked on the line at the far post after Town got through down the left side.

Positive play finally paid off for Town two minutes into the second half, fittingly with Ming making amends for his first-half foul that led to the Village goal.

Simmons did the hard work down the right flank and laid on a pass for Town’s oldest player at 39 to slot home from 15 yards.

The game remained close with both teams contributing to an exciting game. Village went back in front when full back Jecoa Thomas followed up on a Hollis shot to score from close range.

Ian Coke had an effort ruled out for offside nine minutes before Hollis got through to stroke home Village’s third goal in the closing minutes.

However, the two-goal deficit did not deter Town who pulled it back to 3-2 with another well-placed shot from Coke. Deep into injury time Town had one last chance when they forced a corner on the left.

Goater played it short to Coke, took the return pass and from the corner of the box curled in a low shot that struck the far upright just before the final whistle.

SCORERS

North Village

Bean 7, Thomas 67, Hollis 85

Dandy Town

Ming 47, Coke 89

TEAMS

North Village (4-3-3): T Bell — A Johnston, J Davis (sub: K Knights, 45min), T Fray, J Thomas — Jaizel Smith-DeShields (sub: K Evans 80), T Durham, D Daniels — L Dill (sub: Jaqua Smith-DeShields, 80), K Bean, S Hollis. Substitutes not used: P Smith, Z Hendrickson, C Caisey, J Dill. Booked: Daniels, Johnston.

Dandy Town (4-3-3): T Hall — E Blankendal, T Manders, K Lathan, D Jones — E Trott (sub: O Lowe, 68), T Goater, L Tucker — A Simmons, I Coke, D Ming. Substitutes not used: J Amory, Z Burchall, D Walker, G Liburd, J Manders. Booked: Goater, Lathan.

Referee: M Wyer.