Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
VILLAGE UNITED and Constant Spring played out a 1-1 draw at the Elleston Wakeland Centre yesterday in the second week of the third round of the Wray and Nephew National Premier League.
Nicardo Folkes scored for the home team in the 47th minute, while Tafari Lairley replied for Constant Spring in the 79th minute.
The shared points meant that both teams retained their places on the points table. Village United remained in fifth position on 35 points,while Constant Spring were stuck in their relegation position of second to last on 17, just edging Rivoli by goal difference.
On wet underfoot conditions Constant Spring, featuring a number of new faces, competed equally with the home team and even enjoyed better midfield play for a part of the first half.
Village forward Omar Allen, who played intelligently throughout, went closest to scoring in the first half when his shot in the 32nd minute struck the outside of the right upright and went out of play.
DEADLOCK
It did not take long after the resumption for the deadlock to be broken. Teofore Bennett failed to control a left-sided cross from Ian McAnuff but the quick-thinking Allen played it back to a more central position for Folkes to control and shoot past Kirk Williams in goal for Constant Spring.
Teofore Bennett should have sent his team further ahead in the 64th minute when he sprung the offside trap but unwisely chose to drift wide of the goal, thus making his angle more acute. He only succeeded in booting the ball high thereafter.
Two minutes later, goalkeeper Williams who was brave and alert throughout, left his line well to block an effort from Allen following a neat through pass from Edward Campbell.
Williams was again Constant Spring's saviour in the 74th minuet as he moved smartly to his left to deny Allen with his solid drive. Seconds later he was again called to keep the Village attackers at bay.
Despite Village having the better of play in the second half, Constant Spring never gave up and were duly rewarded when Lairley collected a nice pass from midfield and blasted past Elvis Hart in goal for Village.
GOALSHEET
VILLAGE UNITED 1
Nicardo Folkes - 47th
CONSTANT SPRING 1
Tafari Lairley - 79th
