Adrian Frater, News Editor

Village United's Troy Smith (left) struck from the penalty spot against Boys' Town in their DPL clash on Wednesday night at Jarrett Park. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

WESTERN BUREAU:

WHILE THEIR teams ended up sharing the points, Boys' Town's coach, Andrew Pryce, and his Village United counterpart, Dr Dean Weatherley, were satisfied with the 1-1 result in their Digicel Premier League match at Jarrett Park on Wednesday evening.

In a game which was exciting in patches, Village took a 52nd-minute lead courtesy of Troy Smith, who converted from the penalty spot. However, Boys' Town rallied to grab a share of the points via a Peter Keyes' strike in the 64th minute.

Lack of practice

"Considering the fact that we have been lacking a lot of match practice in terms of team management and time management, I think we did well going up 1-0 when we did," said Weatherley, whose Village United lost 4-0 to Harbour View in their first fixture of the new season.

"However, I think we should have consolidated and held on to that lead," he said.

Coach Pryce, who has been making it quite clear that Boys' Town's plan is to take at least a point from each road trip, praised the character shown by his team.

A point on the road is always good and, as I have said to my team, if we get three points on the road, that would be a 'brawta'," said Pryce. "I think the penalty was a dubious call but the referees are in charge so we just have to accept their call.

"With a little more luck in the last 10 minutes we could have come away with all three points," continued Pryce. "We are nonetheless satisfied that we are going back to Kingston with one point, so we just have to go back and get ready for our next game."

After a 0-0 first half, Village United took the lead in the 52nd minute when the referee penalised a Boys' Town defender for a rash tackle on Village United's Radcliff Hall and pointed to the penalty spot. Smith converted easily to make the score 1-0.

After several threatening moves, Boys' Town finally got the equaliser. Following much fumbling inside Village United's goal area, the ball fell to Keyes, who gleefully struck it firmly into the goal, making the final score 1-1.

"A lot of chances went a-begging for us and in the end we were found wanting," said Weatherley. "That is what happens when teams don't take their chances but a 1-1 draw is nonetheless a good result."

Expectations

Satisfied with the point against Village United, coach Pryce once again used the opportunity to outline his expectations of the Boys' Town team this season.

"I think we are looking good considering that we don't have our full armoury at this time as we have players who are now unavailable through injury," stated Pryce. "As I have said, we are here to challenge for the title and our aim is to accumulate as many points as possible going forward."