Somerset Trojans 2 Devonshire Cougars 2

Damian Simmons and Nyeem Simmons rescued a point for Devonshire Cougars against bottom-placed Somerset Trojans at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

The Trojans thought they had all three points in the bag until a late equaliser by Nyeem Simmons. The game started with a minute’s silence for George O’Brien, a former player, referee and match commissioner, who died last week.

The game started in a slow but rhythmic pace akin to the Cougars’ fans in the stands who had brought their gombey drums to the encounter.

Cougars had an early chance when a Damian Simmons cross found Zari Simmons who fired over the top when well positioned. The resulting goal kick found Trojans midfielder Justin Corday who held off his marker before his shot was blocked by Calin Maybury.

The opening goal came in the 20th minute when Damian Simmons headed in from a Shaki Pearman corner. The Trojans equalised in the 25th minute when D’Andre Wainwright charged his way through the defence before slipping the ball to Deunte Darrell who initially hit the post but was first to the rebound to slam home.

The Trojans took the lead after the break when good build up involving Darrell, Jaden Ratteray-Smith and Wainwright, who hit a low, hard drive that beat goalkeeper Lovintz Tota.

The Trojans looked to be heading for their first league victory of the season only to be denied by substitute Nyeem Simmons, with the help of another substitute Allan Douglas.

Zekiro White managed to keep possession of the ball in the Trojans corner before laying the ball off to Simmons. His cross appeared to be covered by goalkeeper Yizharyah Williams but a timely run by Douglas caught Williams off guard, allowing the ball to sneak into the far corner of the goal.

“This was a valuable point today,” Vance Brown, the Cougars coach, said. “The Trojans played well and I want to commend my players for keeping their heads when we fell behind. This point keeps some distance from the teams below us.”

TEAMS

Somerset Trojans: Y Williams — C Durham, M Henschke, T Ming, S Brangman, Jaden Ratteray-Smith — D Swan, D Darrell (sub: Jeze Butterfield, 71min), J Corday, Jaz Ratteray-Smith (sub: Ramar Simmons, 80) — D Wainwright (sub: Z Smith, 76). Substitutions not used: A Seaman, Hubert Butterfield, S Tatum, A Trott, D Zuill.

Devonshire Cougars: L Tota — J Mouchette, Zeko White, C Maybury, Cashun Brangman — Zekiro White, D Daniels (sub: Nyeem Simmons, 76), Damian Simmons — S Pearman (sub: A Douglas, 76), Zari Simmons, Chae Brangman. Substitutions not used: M Steede, D Spenser-Robinson, J Wade, N Carmichael, J Guerrero.

Referee: A Francis.