'Tactical' Reno clip Village out west

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Former champions Reno FC won the first western derby of the 2011/12 National Premier League season yesterday afternoon when they defeated Village United 1-0 at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium in Falmouth.

By virtue of their win, the Reno team, which scored through substitute Richard Vanhorne, have increased their points tally to seven, while the hapless Village outfit, which is yet to win a game after five starts, stay at the bottom of the standings without a point.

"Tactically, I thought we played well," said Reno's coach Wendell Downswell. "In the first half, our offensive combination was not working well so we made a choice and it paid off for us with Vanhorne's goal."

Alert reno goalkeeper

The game, which stated off tentatively, saw Village United getting the first real chance in the eighth minute, when Dino Williams fired a fabulous long-range grounder, which was well saved by the alert Reno custodian.

Reno bounced back in the 16th minute when Nicoly Findlayson broke free on the right, but with a clear shot on goal, he fired tamely at the goalkeeper, who collected the ball quite easily.

In the 38th minute, Williams got and wasted another opportunity for Village. After breaking free before the goal, he cracked a powerful shot but it was badly directed. The remainder of the half was uneventful.

Village started the second half looking quite purposeful but wasted yet another chance in the 55th minute. Williams, who was subsequently red-carded, got a fine break on the right flank but his grounder was again driven wide.

Reno came into their own and should have taken the lead in the 58th. Findlayson got off a clean header but the ball flew inches wide of the goal much to the disbelief of his teammates.

Reno again came close in the 67th minute. Delano Rankine dribbled through the heart of the Village defence but with a clear shot on goal. He struck the ball high and wide.

With momentum in their favour, Reno took the lead in the 75th minute. Substitute Vanhorne took on the Village defence and on reaching the edge of the goal area, directed a neat shot passed the goalkeeper.