Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
SIXTH-PLACED VILLAGE United yesterday opened up a four-point gap on seventh-placed Rivoli United, by defeating them 2-1 in their Wray and Nephew National Premier League fixture at the Elliston Wakeland Centre.
With the win Village move up to 33 points, still some way from fifth-place Arnett Gardens who are 13 points ahead of them.
Scoring for Village were the impressive midfielder Leon Irvirng in the eighth minute and Gregory Simpson on the stroke of half-time, while Devon Hodges pulled one back for Rivoli in the 31st minute.
"It is difficult to say what happened today," a somewhat disappointed Rivoli coach Harold Thomas said at the end of the game as he evaluated his team's performance.
"The last two games we have not really been in them. We have not been making the simple passes when we should. Everybody wants to make the final pass and is going for the spectacular," he added.
Neither pride nor the financial incentive of finishing up the table seem to be motivating his players he confessed. That mental problem he said will have to be addressed soon.
Dr. Dean Weatherly was a picture of satisfaction.
"I hope this (winning) trend continues. We definitely needed this win. Rivoli were closing in on us. I think they were just a point behind us and with this win we are consolidating our position," Dr. Weatherly said.
INFLUENTIAL YOUNGSTER
In a competitive game, Village United made their intentions clear early and duly took the lead in the eighth minute through the increasingly influential youngster, Irving, who was scoring his third goal in as many games. The goal resulted from a move out of the Village midfield and saw Simpson letting fly with one of his customary torrid shots. That effort rebounded kindly for Irving who made no mistake from his position inside the 18-yard box.
The Rivoli bench were in good spirits as Hodges brought them level. National representative Garfield Reid playing in a more advanced role as opposed to his normal left back position, displayed good dribbling skills in driving from inside his own half down the right flank leaving Andre Moore on the seat of his pants before going by Nicardo Folkes. He finished off the move with a fine right-footed cross which was side-footed home on the volley by Hodges.
Any hopes of equity were dashed just before the half-time whistle sounded in the 45th minute. Tall defender Ricardo Knight handled the ball inside the box leaving an alert referee Orville Sandcroft no choice but to award a penalty. Gregory Simpson made no mistake from the spot.
