Jaz and Jadan Ratteray-Smith scored in each half as Somerset Trojans survived a late fightback by BAA to win 2-1 in the Expansion League Festive Tournament final at Goose Gosling Field last night.

Jadan Ratteray-Smith gave Trojans a two-goal cushion when he doubled their lead six minutes into the second half, but an error by goalkeeper Yizhariyah Williams led to a goal by Ian Simmons in the 81st minute to give BAA some hope.

Williams was uncertain about whether he could pick up the ball after it initially rolled away from him inside the six-yard box.

When he hesitated to kick it to safety, Simmons was quick to pounce and force the ball over the line.

Somerset broke the deadlock in the tenth minute after another goalkeeper error, this time by Daniel Johnson, with his kick going straight to Jaz Ratteray-Smith outside the box who drilled his shot past the BAA goalkeeper.

Both teams fielded college students in a competition aimed at giving overseas players some exposure during the festive period. Both teams also included a smattering of over overage players.

“The college students have definitely been a big help,” said Danvers Seymour Jr, the Somerset coach, whose team included overage players Vernon Perinchief, Coolridge Durham and Leo Burgess.

“It gives us a lot of depth and lets us showcase our young players. The senior guys helped to give us some balance with experience. It’s good to finish the Christmas campaign on a high.

“We had a slow start to the season and hopefully this helps give us a bit of momentum going forward.”

Somerset, who finished behind North Village in group C of the competition, beat defending champions Dandy Town in the semi-finals thanks to a goal by Justin Donawa. The midfielder was unable to play in the final, as he had already left the island to return to school overseas.

BAA finished behind Town in group A and clinched their spot in the final with a 1-0 win over Village in the semi-final.

PHC won group B, which also included Devonshire Colts and Southampton Rangers, while X-Roads played in group A. Devonshire Cougars were the other team in group C.

“We’re just happy to be successful in this competition and hopefully it rolls over into the Premier Division,” Seymour said. “It’s a balance between success and development.

“I feel other programmes are successful even though the teams are in the First Division. For example, BAA have a successful programme.”

“You can’t be on top all the time. PHC weren’t always what they are now and at one point they were doing the same thing that we’re doing now. It’s a part of the process.”

Willie Clemons, the BAA forward, went close to equalising midway through the first half when a nice move inside the Somerset half enabled him to race into the box before his shot was blocked by Williams at the near post.

BAA had the bulk of the possession after that and made seven substitutions at once, with the competition allowing for unlimited changes.

Jaden Ratteray-Smith had an effort ruled out for an earlier foul by another Somerset player.

Williams also denied efforts from Simons and Shane Simmons late on.

After Somerset doubled their lead, BAA pressed forward, with Simmons driving a fierce shot from 25 yards that Williams blocked. Then Williams smothered a shot from Shane Simmons at the near post.

After Simmons made it 2-1, Clemons had BAA’s last chance from a corner in the 88th minute but he headed over the bar.