Robin Hood 2 St. George's Colts 1

A late winner by hard-working midfielder David Outerbridge gave Robin Hood this victory over visiting St. George's Colts at BAA Field yesterday.

The triumph saw Hood preserve their 100 percent record for the season but the win came only after their opponents were overly gracious.

Outerbridge's clincher arrived after 86 minutes as he smartly headed home a corner by midfielder Keith Beach who had underlined his authority in the middle of the park from the outset.

While that goal was a decent effort, Hood's equaliser after 71 minutes was a gift, coming as a result of a rare blunder by the usually efficient Troy Hall in the St. George's goal. Hall was in possession after a Hood attack but as he dribbled uncaringly in the box, alert striker Steven Simons seized the opportunity to intervene and steal the ball and steer it home from close range.

Hood had displayed fight and determination as they hung on while under intense pressure. St. George's had enough control of the proceedings to blow their opponents away, especially in the first half when they squandered chances in front of goal.

At times there seemed to be a gulf in the quality of the two teams with the East Enders in command and Hood looking sluggish but with centre-back and skipper David Wolffe doing well to hold their defence together.

St. George's had their chances with lively young midfielder Jahron Dickinson and Mackie Crane always threatening with with some penetrating runs at the defence.

The pair actually combined to produce the opening goal with Dickinson striking the ball home from 14 yards after 20 minutes of St. George's dominance.

That goal was followed up by efforts from Mikai Hodsoll, who volleyed a well-hit shot at goalkeeper Jason Simons from 15 yards, and Kyle Hodsoll who put an effort wide after 37 minutes while David Signor's left-footer from six yards sailed over the bar.

St. George's resumed the second half as they began the first with Crane putting a left-footed shot inches wide when in position to score.

The introduction of former Somerset Trojans and Bermuda international Karl Roberts from the substitutes' bench after 53 minutes added much needed spark in the middle for St. George's but by now their front men were struggling and showing no real sparkle. Dickinson fired two shots high and wide from 14 yards after working well to get into goalscoring positions but it wasn't long before Hood came into the game with momentum, spurred on by Beach.

Hall's blunder gave Hood a lift and they were able to match their opponents, although looking incapable of snatching a winner.

Outerbridge lobbed a ball just over the bar after 77 minutes while St. George's pushed forward with promise only to have play fizzle out near the box.

The East Enders had a good chance to go ahead after 84 minutes but a fine cross by Detroy Smith saw Dickinson's diving header skim off the bar.

Two minutes later Outerbridge, with St. George's still looking the most likely winners, came through with the deciding goal to clinch it for the new entrants to the league.

And St. George's were left ruing their missed opportunities.

Robin Hood: J.Simons; J.Kempe, G.Ray, D.Wolffe, K.Robinson; D.Outerbridge, T.Cusack, K.Beach; J.Lovell, M.Dias (F.El Karfa, 45 mins), S.Simons. Subs not used: A.Lugo, R.Emmett, J.Fubler.

Scorers: S.Simons, D.Outerbridge.

Yellow cards: K.Robinson, D.Outerbridge, S.Simons.

St. George's: T.Hall; G.Wade, B.Phipps (N.Paynter, 80 mins), E.Signor, M.Hodsoll (W.Jones, 45 mins); D.Signor, D.Smith, J.Dickinson; M.Anderson, M.Crane (K.Roberts, 53 min), K.Hodsoll. Subs not used: M.Simmons, P.Stamp, T.Govia, S.Evans.

Scorer: J.Dickinson.

Yellow cards: J.Dickinson, G.Wade.

Referee: Alton Reid.

Man of the match: Keith Beach (Hood).