Dawkins ... scored lone goal

prepares to take the ball on his chest ahead of Boys' Towns' Xavian Virgo in the National Premier League at Collie Smith Drive yesterday. Boys' Town won the game 3-0. - File

Village United's players gave their coach Dr Dean Weatherley what he had been asking for all week: victory away from home in the Digicel Premier League contest against Clarendon's Sporting Central Academy, at Brancourt on Thursday.

"It's our first win on the road and as I was saying to the players all week, we need to start winning games on the road," noted Weatherley of the 1-0 win secured in the seventh round.

He added: "This win now pushes us close to the leaders and our aim is to now win all our remaining games in this round in order to be in good standing for the second round."

It was a very slow game with the Sporting Central team dominating as they launched several attacks on Village's goal area.

Despite that, they would find themselves trailing. Village United made use of their best chance in the 27th minute after Fabian Dawkins received a ball in the Sporting Central goal area. Having only goal keeper Erron Brown to beat, he flicked the ball around Brown and into the goal to put his team into the lead.

André Allen could have pulled the Sporting Central team level in the 31st minute when he got a 'sitter' in the goal area, but his shot was bravely pushed over the crossbar by goalkeeper Elvis Hart.

Although trailing from the first half, Sporting Central came out in a much more spirited manner after the break and made several advances on Village's goal area through the inspiration of double substitutes Alanzo Adlam and Hughan Grey. However, Village were up to the task and continued denying the homesters.

Second caution

Villagers were reduced to 10 players in the 65th minute after Marrian Grant received a second caution from refereee Valdin Legister.

Sporting Central Academy tried desperately to make their numbers count and had the chance of their lives in the 75th minute after Adlam received a ball in the 18-yard box and dismissed custodian Elvis Hart, before firing wide of the goal.

Jevaughn Watson's shot from 22 yards out was the last chance for the Sporting Central team to take a share of the points, but it went over the crossbar.

"Its a very disappointing result for the Sporting Central team," losing coach Chris Dawes said.

"The team is playing well, but we have to learn that once we are playing well, we need to get the win."