MONTEGO BAY, St James — A resurgent St Georges Sports Club ended the second round of the Digicel Premier League and started the new calendar year on a high after carving out a 1-0 win over a slumping Village United at Jarrett Park on Sunday.

Romeo Parke’s late first-half goal made the difference in the clash of the cellar dwellers as the Portland club won their third straight and four of their last five, but stayed at the bottom of the points tables on 20.

The Trelawny club, who are a point ahead of St Georges, ended the round with four straight losses, conceding nine goals over the period.

Village, who had won their first round clash at Lynch Park 1-0, will rue the result as they dominated the game for long periods, pinning back St Georges in their own area for long periods, especially in the second half.

Village also played without a number of their senior players, including captain Troy Smith and influential midfielders Olivier Trail and Jerome Eccleston.

Ajohn Barker, who played daCosta Cup football last season for St James High, was a positive in central midfield and just missed scoring his first DPL goal in the eighth minute when he lofted the ball over the crossbar.

The Geoffrey Maxwell-coached St Georges, who have outscored their opponents 5-2 over the last four games, took the lead with a bit of luck in the 40th minute.

Parker’s left-footer from mid-way the Village half, appeared headed wide, but curled back to hit the inside of the goalkeeper’s left post and rattled into the back of the goal.

Village came out more positive in the second half with Barker, Shavar Campbell and Romando Anderson dictating the pace, but despite creating the better of the chances, had nothing to show.

A free kick from Lance Laing form just outside the St Georges defensive area, curled just inches wide of the target in the 81st minute, and substitute Allan Ottey headed just inches high two minutes later as Village threatened.

Dever Orgill had the visitors’ best scoring chance of the half in the 86th minute when he led a counter-attack, but his shot was wide of the left upright.

TEAMS:

Village — Keith Hamilton, Ladale Richie, Cordel Simpson, Andre Williams, Dino Williams, Shavar Campbell, Lance Laing, Orlando McBayne, Andreas Nickles (Ricardo Morris 46th), Ajohn Barker (Andre Moore 74th), Romando Anderson (Allan Ottey 58th).

Subs not used: W Wilkinson, O Henry, J Morrison, J Lawson

Booked: Morris (79th), McBayne (90th)

St Georges SC — Randal Huie, Dever Orgill, Ricardo Taylor, Bobby-Joe Huie, Ronikie Anderson, Jermaine Taylor, Oneil Brown, Girvon Brown, Dwayne Holmes, Romeo Parkes (Delroy James 83rd), Damion Harwood (Donovan Davis 67th).

Subs not used: R Robinson, S Oakley, D Reid, A Thomas, M Jackson

Booked: Anderson (48th), Harwood (59th), Brown (78th), R Taylor (80th)

Referee: Valdin Ledgister

Assistants: Richard Washington, Dwayne Panton

Fourth Official: Dwight Royal

Match Commissary: Delroy Downer