Tremaine Rimene-Albrett [left], Dylan Cottle[ No 7] and Josh McMenamin [right] celebrate Douglas Villa’s first goal. PHOTOS/JADE CVETKOV
FOOTBALL
Douglas Villa 2
Island Bay 1
CHRIS COGDALE
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GasPro Douglas Villa made it two from two in Capital Division Four with a hard-fought 2-1 win in an often-feisty clash with Island Bay United at Park Sports Ground on Saturday.
Villa took the lead after four minutes from a counterattack, when a cross found striker Tremaine Rimene-Albrett unmarked in the box, giving the 17-year-old a simple tap in.
The home side dominated for most of the first half but struggled to break down a stubborn Island Bay defence.
The visitors scored next after 34 minutes when the Island Bay striker found space behind the defence and deftly chipped over goalkeeper Jaden McRoberts as he came off his line.
Villa’s winner came halfway through the second half, also from a quick counterattack.
The speedy Josh McMenamin latched on to a through pass with a well-timed run before coolly sliding the ball past the goalkeeper.
Island Bay hit the crossbar in search of a late equaliser, but Villa did enough to hold on for a valuable three points.
Apart from three quality goals, the game never reached any great heights, with far too many late tackles, and niggly play such as needless ankle taps and shirt pulling.
Villa share the lead with the Wellington Marist Reserves on six points. They play bottom-placed Wainuiomata Reserves away on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Wairarapa United teams had big wins in the Capital leagues on Sunday.
The Under -7 boys got their first win of the season, easily beating Stop Out 5-0.
The club’s women’s reserves also secured their first points with a 4-0 defeat of Tawa in the Division One championship.
