Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

Former champions Seba United on Sunday had a taste of the low which often follows a high after they were beaten 1-0 in the second week of the Wray and Nephew National Premier League by Village United at Jarett Park.

Towering forward Newton Sterling stroked home a penalty in the 16th minute following a handball in the 18-yard box by defender Floyd Scott. Despite getting opportunities Seba could not get past Leighton Murray who was making his debut for the Trelawny-based team.

Village made their intentions clear as soon as the match began. With just seconds on the clock Omar Allen had goalkeeper Neil Lynch making a save - albeit an easy one. Three minutes later Allen sliding in just failed to make contact with a ball shot across the goal by Ricardo Reid after a good build-up with Deveron Clarke.

The penalty

Village continued to look more purposeful as Seba United appeared very flat and uninterested. The penalty when it came was no surprise.

In the chances that Seba had at goal, the forwards, Kemar James in particular, did not react fast enough or were caught offside. On one occasion James was unlucky not to earn a penalty as he was held around the waist by Jeff Pearce. James stayed on his feet, shrugged off Pearce and tumbled in the box soon after but referee Lewin Purser waved play on.

With half-time approaching Sterling missed two opportunities to send his team further ahead but the greatest moment of excitement for the crowd was the substitution of captain and playmaker Damian Williams with the veteran Norman Foster. With Williams', with-drawal the spectators applauded and some even hailed coach Geoffrey Maxwell as the best coach to come to Seba.

Good save

Seba looked more purposeful in the second half but could not find the back of the net. The closest they came was in the 54th minute when Andre Moore directed a cross from Foster towards his own goal but Murray was at his best in saving.

"We did not allow them (Seba) to play through the midfield much so I think it paid dividends for us, "Village's Dr. Dean Weatherly said after the game.

As far as Geoffrey Maxwell was concerned, his players lacked commitment.

"We have to give Village credit. they came and they stuck to their game plan and they played and did well. I just think that Seba were a bit lethargic tonight. They did not flow as we did against Portmore.

"I think the commitment was lacking especially in front of goal. The simple tap-in would have given us a point," was how Maxwell explained his team's loss.