Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
The Wray and Nephew National Premier League's leading scorer, Fabian Dawkins (centre) of Village, gets away from Rivoli's Ricardo Knight (left) and Dwight James in the game played at the Elliston Wakeland Centre in Falmouth yesterday. Village won 4-0. - PHOTO BY RICHARD MORAIS
VILLAGE'S IMPRESSIVE home form continued yesterday with a 4-0 beating of Rivoli United at the Elliston Wakeland Centre.
It was a good recovery for Village who are yet to win away from home, following their 1-4 loss to Waterhouse last week, while it was the third successive defeat for Rivoli following earlier failures against Seba United and Portmore United.
Newton Sterling, the only scorer for Village last week, continued his good form with a double in the 34th and 48th minutes. Fabian Dawkins converted a penalty in the 55th minute and substitute Omar Allen sealed the issue in the 72nd minute.
Sterling scored the first of his two goals in the 34th minute, heading home a cross from Athol Franklyn to give his team a deserved lead.
Three minutes into the second half Sterling had his second goal, sweeping home a right-sided cross past the advancing Moshell Nelson. More opportunities were to present themselves for Sterling who could have easily had a hat-trick.
Franklyn was robbed of what would have been a lovely goal in the 54th minute when his well-directed header from a corner was handled on the goal line by a defender.
Referee Raymond Pine duly awarded a penalty, which was guided home by Dawkins, sending Nelson the wrong way in the process.
Rivoli showed that they had ability and whenever they put passes together looked good. They were, however, let down in the final third either by a poor final pass or inaccurate shooting.
BROUGHT ON DEFENDER
Having already introduced Kemar Mills and Sean Coleman, Rivoli brought on defender Sheldon Battiste, who has represented his country at two Youth World Cups, as their final change for Mark Wisdom.
Battiste's presence did little to stop Village's flow as they continued to open the Rivoli defence at will and Allen stroked home his team's final goal in the 72nd minute, just two minutes after entering the game.
Allen's strike was followed by misses from Ricardo Knight and Mills in the dying minutes for Rivoli.
"I am still not satisfied, even though we are happy for the three points. Winning at home is normal for us which is what we need to do, but winning on the road is important too," said Rivoli's coach Dr. Dean Weatherly. "We will see how far we have progressed come Wednesday."
Rivoli's Anthony Thompson said his team is suffering from a lack of concentration.
"We are lacking in concentration. We are also having a problem with simple mistakes and not capitalising on our scoring opportunities. Other teams are making use of their opportunities and that is what is killing us," said Thompson of Rivoli who are in the relegation zone.
GOALSHEET
Village United 4
Newton Sterling 34th, 48th
Fabian Dawkins, 55th
Omar Allen, 72nd
Rivoli 0
