by EZRA STUART

YOUTH MILAN have announced themselves as early challengers for the Digicel Premier League Football title.

The Checker Hall, St Lucy team which has flattered to deceive over the years, rushed to their second straight victory beating Silky Soy Beverley Hills 2-0 in the first game of a double header at Empire Club Thursday night.

Like the prodigal son, Troy Johnson, who returned home after spending last season with champions Claytons Kola Tonic Notre Dame, was the hero for Youth Milan, who were again without their champion midfielder Norman Forde.

Johnson left goalkeeper Owen Branch in awe as he unleashed a laser-like shot in the 33rd minute through a wall of players for Youth Milan's first goal, after a partial clearance by the Beverley Hills' defence.

He also had a hand in the second goal in the 89th minute when Dale Best robbed Anderson Taitt of the ball and it fell to Johnson, who drilled a low powerful shot at Branch.

Branch, who had earlier blocked an accurate Michael Forde shot following a one-two with Kenroy Skinner, made a diving save but as he remained prostrate on the ground, a lurking Skinner followed through and drove the ball into the empty nets.

It was also the dribbling skills of Johnson, who was later named Youth Milan's Player-Of-The-Game, which led to the sending off of Beverley Hills' defensive midfielder Shurland Hunte.

Hunte, who had earlier been left for dead by the corner flag by Marlon Greaves, lost his cool after Johnson took him to the cleaners and retaliated by slapping his opponent's head.

Referee Edwin Adams, officiating in his fourth Premier League game, saw the infringement and immediately red-carded Hunte. Adams also issued eight yellow cards during the match, cautioning five Youth Milan players and three from Beverley Hills.

Despite losing both matches so far, technical director Ali Rochester, who remained seated on the bench long after the game reflecting on his team's performance, is hopeful the New Orleans team would bounce back.

"The race is not for the swift and we will come back. This is not a sprint. This is a distance race," Rochester said noting his team had a goal disallowed which he felt was legitimate.

In the second game which was played in steady rain for most of the second half, Tropical Laundries Gall Hill also won 2-0, sending Carib Eden Stars crashing to their second consecutive loss.

Big defender Carlos Nicholls powerfully headed home a corner kick, which was expertly taken by roving left-back Andrew Tudor in the 29th minute.

Shortly after, Eden Stars' woes were compounded when temperamental front-stopper Omar Primus was ejected after receiving his second cautionable offence by rookie referee Trevor Taylor, who was making his premiership debut.

Kevin Moore sealed the outcome in the 57th minute, slotting home a rebound from a sizzling shot by Quincy Atherley.

After their first game defeat last week, Gall Hill reorganised their defence with fledgling defender Randy Bartlett given the key position of sweeper, allowing Oscar Nero to move into the midfield, alongside Andrew Butcher.

ezrastuart@nationnews.com