Somerset Trojans, the Premier champions, got back to winning ways with a comfortable 3-1 victory over hosts Devonshire Cougars at Devonshire Recreation Club last night.

The visitors fell behind when Jahkee Smith, the Cougars striker, put the hosts ahead early in the second half against the run of play.

However, Trojans are made of sterner stuff these days, and three goals inside of eight minutes earned them their first league victory since handing Boulevard a 3-1 defeat in their season opener.

With their league title defence on shaky ground following a slew of draws, and a 2-0 home defeat to Dandy Town, last night’s contest with Cougars was a crucial one for Trojans, who on this occasion proved more than equal to the task.

“We both needed the win,” Trevin Ming, the Somerset captain, said. “We have played more games so we had more match fitness and so we were up for it.”

Somerset took early control and despite falling behind never looked like coming up short of their winning objective.

“I saw the Dandy Town game the other day, and so I told the guys that we have to show that we are champions and we did that today,” Ming said.

“I thought this was definitely our top performance of the season. Now we just have to build from here.

“It was good to win. Now we know what winning feels like again and we want to feel it again.”

Ming was delighted with his team’s finishing in front of goal.

“One of the things we haven’t been able to do is put away our chances,” Ming said. “But our finishing was good tonight. Even if the goals didn’t come from the strikers we were still able to finish our chances.”

Ming was delighted to open his season scoring tally after firing in what proved to be the winner.

“I have had a lot of chances and so it feels good to finally score,” Ming said. “Hopefully I can get some more.”

The only downside to Somerset’s night was the loss of Dennis Lister, in the 69th minute, to a foot injury.

Lister fell prey to a late tackle from Lamont Brangman, the Cougars substitute, who was sent off after receiving a second booking for the offence.