Southampton Rangers 1

Somerset Trojans 2

In a scrappy game, Somerset Trojans emerged victorious, grinding out a win over a determined, but unlucky Southampton Rangers at the Southampton Oval.

Tahj Wade gave a glimpse of things to come when he fired a cross into the box that was headed down by Vashon Blanchette, but cleared off the line.

Rangers weathered an early onslaught and they were rewarded in the 22nd minute with the opening goal.

The home side’s Anthony Rocker fed a searching through ball to Errin Simons who lofted a cross into the box which was headed in brilliantly by Khalil Symonds.

Trojans then squandered a golden opportunity to pull level.

In the 33rd minute, Wade was tripped up in the area, with Malachi Jones stepping up, only to have his effort brilliantly saved by Jason Smith, the goalkeeper. Trojans pressed on relentlessly and in the 37th minute, Wade fired a searching cross into the six-yard box finding an unmarked Jones who muffed his shot.

Both teams played some inspired, attacking football, coming agonisingly close to scoring but were denied by goalkeeping heroics and errant shots.

Keedai Astwood displayed some skilful moves down the flank and quick, darting runs through the middle which caused havoc among the Trojan defenders.

In the 78th minute, after a defensive lapse by Rangers, Trojans scored the equaliser after Sean Brangman latched on to a bouncing ball in the penalty area and rifled a shot past the stranded Rangers goalkeeper.

Trojans sustained their offensive pressure and secured the winner in the 86th minute when a failed clearance allowed Jensen Rogers to pounce on the loose ball to thump it home.