Somerset Trojans 0

Somerset Eagles 1

Eagles sneaked away from Somerset Cricket Club with the narrowest of wins over neighbours Somerset Trojans yesterday thanks to a 38th minute Sean Dill spot kick.

During an all-west end affair which failed miserably to live up to pre-game expectations, Dill's goal proved decisive as both teams squandered the few clear-cut chances with which they were presented.

The result afforded Eagles - who climbed into fifth spot - a temporary lifeline in the battle to avoid relegation, while for Trojans things are beginning to look bleak as they slipped down a place to sixth.

With PHC earning a draw against North Village, just who makes the dreaded drop will now be decided on the final day of the season in two weeks' time.

Eagles meet Boulevard on March 2 while Trojans will have their work cut out against Devonshire Cougars. PHC and Devonshire Colts - who meet Dandy Town on Wednesday night - will do battle at Somerset Cricket Club.

Tempers boiled over between these two rivals way before they even took to the pitch yesterday over the eligibility of Eagles midfielder Duval Binns.

Binns had previously received a lengthy ban from the club grounds but was allowed to play against PHC recently at the same venue. However, Somerset Cricket Club officials did an about-turn yesterday and reinstated the ban - much to the displeasure of an enraged Eagles' entourage.

Thus, it was no surprise to see Eagles take a strong physical approach with Sean Simmons receiving a booking for a harsh tackle from behind on Trojans' Dion Stovell in only the second minute of play.

As both teams struggled to settle into a rhythm, Eagles' Simmons failed to capitalise on a half-clearance, the dreadlocked player stroking his effort from inside the 18-yard box high and wide.

Trojans' diminutive forward Shawn Riley responded at the other end with an adventurous volley which gave Winslow Williams in the Eagles goal little trouble.

Midway through the opening half, the visitors finally began to gel up front with Lamaul Crofton, Nakia Smith and Simmons raising expectations with an enterprising attack which culminated with the latter firing over from 12 yards.

Simmons also narrowly missed the target with a firm header after he rose unchallenged in the middle as the Trojans defence stood flat-footed.

But Eagles were finally rewarded for their perseverance when Trojans' defender Richard Scott hacked Marco Butterfield from behind as the forward raced towards goal.

Dill made no mistake from the resulting penalty, placing his shot to the right of a wrong-footed Timmy Figureido in the Trojans goal.

Trojans introduced livewire Marvin Belboda into their attack at the break and later brought on Curtis Grant for the out of touch Stovell while Andrew Rahman came on late in the game to replace Gary Ray at the back.

But the changes would have little effect as Eagles began to utilise the width of the pitch with a series of piercing through balls down both flanks.

On one such foray, shortly after Dill blasted a Crofton miscue into the side-netting, full back Aldolfus Lambert saw a firm blast from 14 yards soar over after good approach work by Smith and Shannon Morrissey.

But Trojans also had their fair share of chances and almost drew even mid-way through the half when during a brief goalmouth scramble the Eagles defence frantically cleared the ball off the line.

The home team were also denied late when Williams, not once, but twice parried away desperate attempts from Damon Ming.

Trojans' Dwight Basden received a booking after becoming entangled with Eagles' Lambert as frustration began to set in. Lambert's team-mate, Smith, also had his name entered into referee Stuart Crockwell's book.

Both teams had further chances to convert as the game progressed,but in the end it would be a sea of blue and gold that would invade the pitch following the final whistle as Eagles continued their late revival in adequate form.

Somerset Trojans: T.Figureido, D.Francis, G.Ray (A.Rahman, 83 mins), R.Scott, D.Lawler, T.Davis, D.Stovell (C.Grant, 67 mins), S.Riley, A.Webb (M.Belboda, 45 mins), D.Ming, D.Basden.

Somerset Eagles: W.Williams, M.Dill, D.Burgess, K.Simmons, A.Lambert, M.Butterfield, S.Morrissey (S.Burrows, 71 mins), S.Dill (J.Tucker, 80 mins), S.Simmons, L.Crofton, N.Smith.

Booked: G.Ray, D.Basden (Trojans); S.Simmons, N.Smith (Eagles).

Men of the match: G.Ray (Trojans); S.Dill (Eagles).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.