Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
JARRETT PARK continued to be an unhappy hunting ground for Wray and Nephew National Premier League contenders Village United on Sunday night as they were beaten 3-2 by Wadadah.
Daniel Rickettts, Jermaine Anderson and Markeino Gillings scored for Wadadah, while schoolboy Edward Campbell and Newton Sterling were on the scoresheet for Village United.
Having lost earlier in the season at the same venue to Wadadah and their Montego Bay neighbours, Seba United, Village set out early to reverse their fortunes. Things looked as if they were about to turn for Village as they took the lead as early as the fourth minute through Campbell.
The Cornwall College school-boy never looked out of place as he turned home a cross from close range. It struck the upright before making its way to the back of the net.
Wadadah have always been confident at Jarrett Park and it showed in their play as they responded under the urgings of captain Ricketts, Jermaine Anderson and new boys Christopher Currie and Gillings.
WRONG MOVE
Wadadah were back on even footing in the 22nd minute when Currie dribbled down the left flank and crossed inside for Ricketts, a former Village representative, to tap home as Elvis Hart, who has had many better days in goal, raced out of his net leaving it unprotected. Ricketts could not have asked for more and made no mistake.
Village United found themselves a man down eight minutes later when the energetic Athol Franklyn was ejected for striking an opponent in an off the ball incident.
The visitors found themselves behind just four minutes after the resumption as Rayon Vassell, against better judgement, tried to shield a ball out of play, under pressure from Gillings, despite having more than enough time to play it out safely. He was duly robbed of it by Gillings which forced a foul from Vassell which referee Dave Peterkin punished with a yellow card and a penalty.
Anderson did his duty from the penalty spot.
Six minutes later Teofore Bennett could have drawn his team level but chose to direct his blast at the near post. His shot took a slight deflection off goalkeeper Gavine Barrett, struck the right uptight and went across the goal.
POOR DAY FOR HART
At the other end, Hart continued to have a poor day in goal as he spilled a long-range drive from Rohan Reid and was later rescued by Sterling who headed an Anderson header off the line.
In the 63rd minute Bennett was guilty once more of poor decision-making as, with the goal and its keeper at his mercy, he again went for the near post, wasting another scoring opportunity.
Village were bailed out in the 71st minute or so they thought by Sterling whose expertly-directed header could not be kept out of goal in the 71st minute.
Gillings killed off the game in the 89th minute heading home a corner from substitute Olivier Sewell who had replaced substitute Junior Fung 11 minutes earlier.
"I think there are 33 points out there to get and only one of the 12 teams can get 33. The fact that we played the first game and got three is saying something.
"Village isw one of the teams in the top six and once you can play those teams and get a good result I guess you can take some comfort from it," said Wadadah coach Anthony "Follies" Williams whose team climbed up to ninth place above Reno who drew 0-0 with Portmore..
The victory he added will be a "morale booster" as they fight to move out of relegation threat.
Village in the meantime remained in fourth place.
GOALSHEET
WADADAH 3
Daniel Ricketts 22nd, Jermane Anderson 49th, Markeino Gillings 89th
VILLAGE 2
Edward Campbell 4th, Newton Stirling 71s
