Resolute Benfica upstage Village 2-1

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Benfica FC added more lustre to their debut season in the 2010-11 Digicel Premier League on Sunday night when they scored an impressive come-from-behind 2-1 win over seasoned campaigners Village United at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.

Craig Gordon, who had an excellent game, got both goals for Benfica, who were notching their seventh of the season. Lance Laing scored for Village United, who were losing for the first time in the four games they have played since switching home ground from Elliston Wakeland Youth Centre in Falmouth to Jarrett Park.

"We prepared very well for this game and even when Village took the lead, we never lost over composure," said Benfica coach Conroy Brown. "This win has helped us to advance our objective, which is to win as many games as we can so that we can retain our place in the league."

The Village United team, which must have impressed new Brazilian coach Nedeir Dos Santos with their strong first-half display, left the venue quite disappointed as, according to assistant coach Hopeton Gilchrist, they should have won the game from the first half.

"We got enough good chances in the first half to have won the game," said Gilchrist. "To further compound the situation, once Benfica drew level with that early second-half goal, we began to panic."

Twelve-team standings

With Sunday's three points, Benfica moved to 24 points to consolidate their position in the top half of the twelve-team standings while Village United remain in deep trouble, sitting in 10th position on 15 points, with no breathing space between them and the relegation zone.

After dominating the early action and coming close on a few occasions, Village United finally took the lead in the 16th minute. Laing curled a superb 30-yards free kick between the diving goalkeeper and the near post, giving Village United a 1-0 lead.

Village United should have widened their lead in the 21st minute after the wily Dino Williams pounced on a loose ball before the goal. However, his delicate chip from eight yards flew inches over the crossbar.

After watching Benfica squander a good 27th-minute chance, when Lacon Brissette shot wide after finding himself free before the goal, Village also missed back-to-back chances in the 30th and 35th minutes. First, Laing failed to convert a rebound from four yards and second, Shavar Campbell drove his close-range shot too close to the goalkeeper and was denied by a fine save.

Benfica started the second half full of running and with Village struggling to keep pace with them, they drew level in the 50th minute. Gordon found himself with space in the heart of the Village defence and fired home, making the score 1-1.

With skipper Gregory Tape taking charge of midfield for Benfica, the St Ann team began to look increasingly dange-rous. It was, therefore, no surprise that with time ticking away, Gordon struck in the 86th to give them their 2-1 win.