Devonshire Cougars 0 Robin Hood 0

Devonshire Cougars and Robin Hood lost their perfect starts to the season but still have not conceded a league goal after a goalless draw at Devonshire Recreation Club.

Hood, probably more so, will consider it two points dropped after a late flurry threatened to break down the home side as Cougars goalkeeper Kioshi Trott made a couple of key saves in the dying minutes.

Trott made a near-post save to deny captain Lejuan Simmons from a free kick in the 85th minute, and then made another crucial save at the near post when substitute Lozendro Symonds’s shot on the turn looked like sneaking in.

“Based on the play and the amount of possession we had, I think it would be two points dropped, but at the end of the season it might be a valuable point gained,” said assistant coach Timmy Figureido, who took charge of Hood in the absence of coach John Barry Nusum.

“It was much better in the second half and we created plenty of chances to win the game. Now we have to go back and regroup and get ready for PHC next weekend.

“We haven’t conceded a goal yet, so I’m pleased with the defence. The offence could be a little more consistent.”

Chances were few in the first half with the best of them coming around the half-hour mark when Cashun Brangman broke through on the left before he shot towards the far post was turned away for a corner by goalkeeper Jason Simons.

A scuffle developed late in the half between Calin Maybury and Chris Caisey, a former Cougars captain, but referee Martin Wyer quickly stepped in to calm things down. All was forgiven between the pair after they hugged at the start of the second half.

Defender Darren Williams limped off early in the second half after taking a hard knock from a Joseph Pereira challenge, which earned the Hood defender a yellow card.

Mazhye Burchall came close to breaking the deadlock with a diving header but he failed to connect with Simmons’s dangerous cross into the box.

The game opened up with some good attacking moves by both teams but the finishing touches in front of goal were missing, leaving both teams to slip two points behind leaders PHC Zebras as the four-way tie for first was broken.

“Today we were a little slow, our performance wasn’t good enough,” said Omar Butterfield, the Cougars coach.

“We didn’t play our game, we went towards their game plan of the long ball.

“We just need to sharpen up on some things, but we’re still moving in the right direction, another clean sheet.

“We just need more consistent performances. It’s a valuable point, but due to the late start [of some players] the fitness showed in the end.

“We have to rectify that as soon as possible. With more fitness we could have got more out of the game.”

TEAMS

Devonshire Cougars: K Trott — J Butterfield, Zekiro White, Zeko White, D Williams (sub: Z Simmons, 54min), I Mallory, C Maybury (sub: D Simmons, 73), C Brangman (sub: M Steede, 60min), J Smith, J Mallory, M Battersbee. Substitutes not used: C Hardtman, J Wade. Booked: Trott, I Mallory, Zekiro White.

Robin Hood: J Simons — J Pereira, D Leverock, J Bather, S Smith, C Caisey, Z Burgess (sub: L Symonds, 65), C Ryan, M Burchall (sub: E Outerbridge, 73), A Russell, L Simmons. Substitutes not used: D Andrade, J Titterton, C Fosker, P Froncioni. Booked: Pereira.

Referee: M Wyer.