Somerset Trojans 3 Flanagan’s Onions

Somerset Trojans ended their scoring drought but still could not pick up their first win of the season after Flanagan’s Onion came from three goals down to earn a point at Somerset Cricket Club on Saturday.

The game looked done and dusted in Somerset’s favour after scoring three goals in 13 minutes.

However, Onions showed tremendous character to battle back in the second half to earn a draw in an exciting match.

Somerset will be kicking themselves after failing to hold on for a victory that would have taken them above Onions in the table, with both teams having chances to win the game.

Without a goal in five league and cup games this season, Somerset dominated the first half after Jaz Ratteray-Smith netted their first goal of the season in the twelfth minute.

The midfielder used his pace and strength to break through the middle after a long ball before firing into the bottom corner.

Trojans grew with confidence after that and looked to cushion their lead with some fluent passing.

They scored a second midway through the half when Alton Trott took a return pass from Leo Simmons and drilled a lot shot past goalkeeper Chejon Berkeley.

The game looked over as a contest two minutes later when winger Jeze Butterfield scored from a corner when his cross was dropped over the line by Berkeley.

Somerset had calls for a penalty ignored by referee Cassandra Trott minutes later when Ratteray-Smith went down in the box from a challenge from defender Markez Laws.

A goal moments before the interval proved a major turning point for Onions as Nicholas Dunkle converted from close range after Somerset failed to clear a free kick.

After the break Treshun Smith capitalised on another defensive error to make it 3-2 to put Onions within striking distance.

Onions had an extra spring in their step as Somerset struggled to hold onto their lead. Striker Vernon Perinchief blew a good chance to cushion Somerset’s lead when he headed well over the bar after a cross from the right by Simmons.

A glancing header by Perinchief went just wide of the far post as Somerset wasted another chance to extend their lead.

At the other end, Michael Lindsey-Bailey drove his effort wide after Treshaun Smith laid the ball into his path.

The goal that Onions threatened finally came when Keston Lewis scored his third goal in two games from close range to complete the Onions fightback.

“Both teams had chances at three-all, so either team could have come away with it,” Mick Ward, the Onions coach, said.

“I’m disappointed with the way we started, we definitely switched off and didn’t turn up until around the 35th minute and then we got the late goal in the first half.

“It was a good time to get one and then we got one early in the second half. It was a point earned but I’m disappointed not to come away with all three.”

Onions have definitely shown they are a side that cannot be taken lightly.

“We just said that as well, that the rest of the teams will say that they’re not pushovers,” Ward said. “We’ve got a big game next weekend against Robin Hood. We’ll prepare for that and work on what went wrong in the first half.”

TEAMS

Somerset Trojans: J Morrissey — Jadan Ratteray-Smith, C Durham, T Ming, J Seymour, A Trott (sub: H Butterfield, 61min), M Joell, L Burgess, Jaz Ratteray-Smith, V Perinchief (sub: J Charles, 71), J Butterfield. Substitutes not used: Y Williams, A Charles, J Greaves, T Bean. Booked: Perinchief.

Flanagan’s Onions: C Berkeley — C Burns (sub: N Anglin, 86), Markez Laws, P Robey, P Smith, N Dunkle, J Higson, M Aden (sub: M Brewster, 71), M Lindsey-Bailey, K Lewis, T Smith.

Referee: C Trott.