Adrian Frater, News Editor

Wadadah's Damion Nelson (left) battles with Village United's Omar Allen during yesterday's Wray and Nephew National Premier League game between the two teams in Falmouth. Wadadah won 2-0. - Photo by Adrian Frater

Western Bureau:

Wadadah shuffled up into the comfort of the mid-table in the 2006 Wray and Nephew National Premier League football competition yesterday afternoon when goals by Raphael Palmer and Scion Thorpe gave them a 2-0 win over Village United at the Elliston Wakeland Community Centre in Falmouth.

By virtue of the win, their third of the season, Wadadah moved up to nine points while Village United, which were losing for only the second time in six games, remain in the lower half of the table on a mere five points.

"It was a business-like performance from the team today and I was quite pleased with the way they acquitted themselves," said victorious coach Anthony 'Follies' Williams. "We tried a few players in different positions and they made the adjustments quite well and that was quite pleasing also."

In the opening minutes, Village United looked the sharper of the teams as they quickly settled down, moving the ball around and threatening the Wadadah goal.

They should have taken the lead in the fourth minute when Jamie Ramsay got away before the goal but fumbled and lost possession to the advancing goalkeeper.

Control

Midway the half, Wadadah gradually begun to take control but Rohan Reid wasted two good chances in the 24th and 34th minutes.

With time running out in the half, Wadadah deservedly took the lead in the 41st minute. A sharp cross from the right flank by Christopher Currie floated into the path of Palmer and he knocked the ball into the goal with his chest, making the half-time score 1-0.

In the second half, Village United increased the tempo of their play and could have drawn level on separate occasions but Luke Tate and Edward Kingston muffed good chances, and Ian McInnuff failed to find the target with a well-struck, long-range effort.

With action swinging from end to end, Wadadah effectively put the game out of Village's reach in the 85th minute. A close-range shot from Thorpe struck the instep of a defender and ricocheted into the goal, making the final score 2-0.

Village - 0

Wadadah - 2

Raphael Palmer 41st, Scion Thorpe 85th