Somerset Trojans 2 Young Men’s Social Club 1

Vernon Perinchief scored twice in the first half to make the difference in Somerset Trojans’ victory over Young Men’s Social Club on Saturday night.

Somerset were made to sweat a little in the second half when Jahmair Lewis-Trott replied for Social Club, but they were still able to hang on for the victory, which pulls them farther away from the relegation zone.

Perhaps buoyed by their win in the PDL Festive Tournament last week, Trojans came into this match exuding confidence and playing with a swagger that they have been missing for most of this season. The home side’s newfound feelgood factor paid off early, when they scored in the fourth minute.

Perinchief was picked to lead the line as striker, as opposed to his customary position in midfield, and he instantly rewarded his coach’s faith in him. Trojans were awarded a free kick on the right in a good position, and Perinchief fired in his effort which the keeper got a hand to, but could not manage to keep out.

Somerset began to play some brilliant football, stringing passes together and taking the game to Social Club. Within five minutes of taking the lead, they almost had a second. Perinchief fired a low cross across the goal, and Jaz Ratteray-Smith reacted quickly but his shot from close range struck the underside of the cross bar and bounced back out without crossing the line, almost unbelievably.

In the 35th minute, Trojans would finally get the second goal their possession warranted. Perinchief provided the goods for his team again, stroking the ball home from close range after receiving a smart pass from full back Jesse Seymour.

However, Social Club came out looking like a different team in the second half. The visitors began to take the game to Trojans, and suddenly started to pose some real concerns. They even managed to put the ball in the back of the net, ten minutes into the second half, but the “goal” was ruled out for offside.

Social Club were giving out warning signs of their intentions, but the home side apparently did not heed them and in the 65th minute the visitors made their next good chance count. Clay Darrell, the Social Club winger, fired in a low cross from out on the left flank and Lewis-Trott, the striker, tucked home from right in front of goal.

After Lewis-Trott scored, the game became more open. Trojans had two good chances to kill the game off late on, one for Leo Burgess but he shot straight at the keeper from close range and then substitute Justin Corday put his angled shot inches wide of goal, with just a few minutes remaining in the match.

Although they could not find a third goal, the Trojans were able to see the game out and secure the victory. The win enabled them to pick up a crucial three points and allow them to start the New Year looking upwards. The only bad note for Trojans’ was that they lost Ratteray-Smith to injury after he sustained a rough tackle and was not able to continue and he had to be replaced by Corday.

SCORERS

Somerset Trojans

Perinchief 4, 35

Young Men’s Social Club

Lewis-Trott 65

TEAMS

Somerset Trojans (4-3-3): S Bean – J Seymour, T Ming, T Harris, R Quinn – C Durham, M Joell, Jadan Ratteray-Smith – Jaz Ratteray-Smith (sub: J Corday, 62min), V Perinchief (sub: A Trott, 72), L Burgess (sub: R Simmons, 89). Substitutes not used: S Brangman, J Butterfield, J Lee, Y Williams. Booked: Durham, Harris.

Young Men’s Social Club (4-2-3-1): R Trott – L Doughty (sub: P Darrell, 45), M Smith, T Fubler, C Woolridge – J Simmons (sub: Kelvon Butterfield, 60), A Samuels – C Darrell, K Francois, P Mallory (sub: N Armstrong, 65) – J Lewis-Trott. Substitutes not used: D Adams, Kenneth Butterfield, J Outerbridge. Booked: Francois, Woolridge.

Referee: A Francis.