Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Reno FC tasted victory for the first time in the 2008-09 Digicel Premier League yesterday afternoon, when goals by Evan Taylor and Gary McIntosh gave them a 2-1 win over Village United in their western derby at Frome Sports Ground in Westmoreland.

"This is a relief to the team and a happy occasion for the fans that have been supporting us so, even when we were not winning," said Reno's technical director, Wendell Downswell. "Let us hope that this will be the beginning of a winning streak for us."

In a game chockfull of excitement but littered with missed chances, Village created the first chances of the game in the seventh minute. The wily Fabian Dawkins got away before goal but fumbled and lost possession to the goalkeeper.

Reno bounced back in the 10th minute when the lanky Fabian Blake sent McIntosh clear with a superb pass, but under pressure from a defender, he fired over the crossbar.

Three minutes later, Reno again came close when McIntosh pounced on a rebound nearly 30 yards from goal, but his shot was well saved by goalkeeper Elvis Hart.

Reno's favour

With the momentum in Reno's favour, they won a free-kick in the 19th minute. The kick, expertly taken by midfielder Taylor, curled late on the goalkeeper, leaving him stranded as it hit the net, making the score 1-0.

Before the Village defence could compose themselves, Reno struck again in the 21st minute. Another superb free-kick by Obrian Woodbine found McIntosh un-marked inside the goal area and he calmly flicked the ball past the goalkeeper, making the score 2-0.

On a counter-attack in the 25th minute, Village pulled back a goal. Omar Allen outjumped the Reno defence for a corner and his well-placed header flashed past goalkeeper Dennis Taylor, making the half-time score 2-1.

In second half action, Reno just missed widening their lead in the 53rd minute. Blake broke free on the flank, dribbled into the box but from an acute angle, he fired inches wide.

Reno squandered another chance in the 57th minute when Taylor sent McIntosh clear. However, with the goalkeeper at his mercy, McIntosh fired straight to the custodian.

With time running out, Village came very close to pulling level in the 78th minute. Allen got away just outside the goal area but mis-kicked badly with the goalkeeper struggling to get into position.

On the stroke of full-time, Village squandered another chance when the Reno goalkeeper mis-handled a cross but with a clear shot on goal, Shavar Campbell fired wide, much to the dismay of his teammates.