Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Boys' Town's Fabian Watkins (left) and Village United's Ian McAnuff (right) jostle for possession in their National Premier League (NPL) clash at Collie Smith Drive yesterday. Boys' Town won 3-0. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

THE BATTLE to remain in top-flight football begins in earnest for Village United as their hopes of securing the National Premier League sixth spot faded away when they were outclassed 3-0 by Boys' Town at Collie Smith Drive yesterday.

The Falmouth team began the day with the hope of moving into the league's top half, which would have seen them avoid what is expected to be a bitter relegation battle.

In the newly-implemented fourth round, the top half of the league after the third round will play off against each other, while the teams finishing in the bottom half will play themselves, meaning that any team finishing sixth would be in a safe spot. With five games left in the final round, positions six through 12 are separated by a mere six points.

"It's going to be dog eat dog down there now." said Village coach Paul 'Tegat' Davis after the game. "But we will just have to regroup and prepare ourselves for the task at hand," he said.

Despite being desperately in need of it, a win for Village had never really looked to be on the cards against the Red Brigade as the visitors were pushed on the back foot from the opening whistle. After failing to put away several early opportunities, a finely crafted piece of play ended with Boys' Town's George Vernal putting the ball into the back of the net in the 19th minute. In a second half, also dominated by the home team, Vernal had a bit of luck when he saw his 76th-minute effort deflect before bouncing past a rooted Elvis Hart. Garfield Gillespie added Boys' Town's final goal in the 88th minute.

"It was good payback to beat them here today, we were really anticipating this game," said Boys' Town coach Andrew Price.

"It's not over yet, we have five more games to play and we are eagerly anticipating them," he said. Boys' Town remain third with 50 points, while Village are eighth with 39.