Somerset Trojans 1 Boulevard 3

Boulevard secured victory over basement dwellers Somerset Trojans at Somerset Cricket Club on Saturday to enhance their chances of avoiding the drop.

A brace from lively forward Ian Coke and an unfortunate own goal from the Trojans captain Coolridge Durham gave Boulevard the three points, which helped them to move out of the relegation zone. The defeat keeps the Trojans anchored at the bottom.

“We worked on what we practised in training, which was keeping the ball close to us and executing [in front of goal],” said Boulevard striker Ian Coke.

Boulevard had more of the possession, penetrating down the Trojan’s right side. Trojans defender Jaden Ratteray-Smith was kept busy chasing after numbers as he had the speedy Coke to contend with.

Coke let his intentions be known early when he broke loose down the left wing and cut inside to get off a shot which Trojan’s goalkeeper Yizharyah Williams did well to block. The rebound fell to Ernest Trott who fired straight into the goalkeeper’s arms.

Boulevard should have taken the lead shortly after when Coke crossed to Clay Darrell who miskicked when well positioned inside the penalty area. His miss almost cost Boulevard as Jaz Ratteray-Smith delivered a cross to the back post which eluded the outstretched boot of an advancing D’Andre Wainwright.

Coke opened the scoring when he was sent down the left flank, cutting inside and leaving two defenders in his wake, before unleashing a low drive which nestled into the corner of Williams’s goal.

Just before the interval, Somerset’s Damon Swan came close with a 25-yard free kick but could only watch as it slammed against the crossbar before being cleared.

Shortly after the break, Boulevard doubled their lead courtesy of an own goal. A low and hard corner by Darrell deflected off the chest of Durham during his attempted clearance and beat his goalkeeper.

The Trojans made two changes, which brought life into their attack. Substitutes Dennis Zuill and Ramar Simmons started to run at the Boulevard defence and became involved in eye-catching build-up play. Boulevard’s defence, however, marshalled by Antione Famous and Jakio Williams, stood firm.

Jeze Butterfield then missed a good chance for Somerset, with the ball slicing off his foot and going wide with only goalkeeper Ronniko Burchall to beat.

Any chance of a Trojan’s comeback was nullified when Trott intercepted a partial clearance to send Coke through. He used his speed to outpace his defender before slipping the ball under the advancing goalkeeper.

Trojans scored a consolation goal late on when Zuill crossed for Simmons at the back post to tap home.

SCORERS

Somerset Trojans 1

Simmons 86

Boulevard 3

Coke 23, 75, Durham 50 og

TEAMS

Somerset Trojans (4-3-3): Y Williams — M Henschke, T Ming, C Durham, Jaden Ratteray-Smith — D Swan, K Holis (sub: R Simmons, 46min), Jaz Ratteray-Smith — D Wainwright, A Seaman (sub: D Zuill, 36), J Butterfield. Substitutes not used: T Smith, D Minors.

Boulevard (4-1-2-3): R Burchall — A Foggo, J Williams, A Famous, T Butterfield — N Smith — E Trott, D Taylor — Clay Darrell (sub: Terrance Stovell, 76), K Easton (sub: Zico Stovell, 69), I Coke (sub: Ysavier Darrell, 81). Booked: I Coke, 54.

Referee: M Wyer.