St George’s 0 North Village 4

St George’s crashed to their biggest loss of the season as North Village scored four times in the second half to avenge their league loss at Wellington Oval two weeks ago.

Striker Rai Simons stunned the hosts with two goals before winger Justin Bell doubled the lead with two strikes in the space of seven minutes late in the game, as the nine-times FA Cup winners strode comfortably into the last eight of the competition.

“The league match from a couple of weeks ago is way behind us,” insisted Kenny Thompson, the Village coach. “We put that behind us in the next league game [ against X-Roads] when we scored eight goals.

“Today we scored four so we found a little form in front of goal.”

St George’s suffered their first setback in the first 14th minute when midfielder David Signor limped off with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Cavun Ottley.

There was an injury scare to goalkeeper Freddy Hall midway through the half when he took a knock and needed treatment, but fortunately he was able to continue.

Two of the best chances of the first half fell to Tyrell Burgess of St George’s in the 26th minute when he, first, had a left-footed shot saved by goalkeeper Detre Bell to his left after a cross was knocked down at the far side of the box by Kenton Ottley.

Burgess went close again early in the second half when Bell blocked his effort from the left side of the six-yard box.

Village made them pay ten minutes later when Simons broke the deadlock following a run down the left flank by fullback Jalen Harvey who crossed into the box where Simons placed his low shot inside the post.

Village doubled that lead eleven minutes later when Simons caught ‘keeper Hall off guard with a shot from the edge of the box that smashed into the roof of the net.

St George’s responded with a double substitution two minutes later, bringing on Jelani Carlington and Jahkai Brangman for Alleyne Francis and Jahron Dickinson, who went off holding his hamstring.

Village made a double substitution themselves five minutes later as Simons and Tahmi Williams were replaced by Owen Botelho and Ian Simmons.

Bell stepped up to take over the goal scoring in Simons’s absence, first netting from the penalty spot in the 81st minute after Pierre Smith was fouled inside the box by Cavun Ottley. He sent Hall the wrong way with his penalty.

Two minutes from the end he silenced the St George’s fans further when slack defending gave him space to beat Hall with his shot from close range.

“We were not pleased with the performance of the first half, so we discussed some things at half time,” Thompson added.

“Once we scored the first goal it was about not letting any level drop. And once we got the second goal it was about managing and we were able to score two more. Overall it is pleasing to get to the next round and we’ll continue to work.”

SCORERS:

North Village: Simons 60, 70; Bell 81, 88

TEAMS

St George’s (4-3-3): F Hall 6 ‒ G Wade 5, P Anderson 6, E Signor 6, N Paynter 6 ‒ T Burgess 5, J Burgess 6, D Signor 5 (sub: C Ottley 14, 6) ‒J Dickinson 5 (sub: J Brangman 72), K Ottley 5 (sub: C Burns 63, 6), A Francis 5 (sub: J Carlington 72). Substitutes not used: C King, S Blair-Paynter, D Lodge, K Burton. Booked: Wade.

North Village (4-3-3): D Bell 6 ‒ K Knights 6, T Fray 6, Q Lema 6, J Harvey 6 ‒‒ V Perinchief 6, T Williams 6 (sub: I Simmons 77), D Daniels 7 ‒ R Simons 6 (sub: O Botelho 77), P Smith 6 (sub: S Somner 87), J Bell 7. Substitute not used: O DeShields. Booked: J Bell.

Referee: M Wyer