Somerset Eagles 1

Devonshire Cougars 2

Newly-promoted Somerset Eagles had their wings clipped in this season-opening Premier Division game at White Hill Field yesterday as Cougars striker Raymond Beach grabbed both goals for the visitors.

The result saw Cougars rebound from defeats already this season in the Charity Cup and Martonmere Cup, but while they came away with maximum points they were matched throughout by Eagles who might consider themselves unlucky not to have come away with a share of the points.

Goals, however, win matches and Beach handed his opponents a lesson in finishing.

It was Beach who put Cougars ahead after 27 minutes with an effort from close range after he had combined with Heys Wolffe and Kori Goddard.

Eagles, however, clawed their way back into contention and were unlucky not to score on two occasions when Darren Dowling blew chances. First he missed the ball completely with an attempted header from close range and then sent an angled shot wide of the far post from only a few yards out. Just before the half the same player's blast was pushed around the post by goalkeeper Ricardo Brangman.

If that wasn't enough for the home side, striker Lamaul Crofton also saw his header also parried around the post by Brangman.

The second half was more competitive with Eagles taking a decisive edge once Rodre Wilson came off the substitute's bench after 55 minutes. Within two minutes he dribbled through the defence only to see Brangman advance off his line to block his shot from close range.

The equaliser came after 66 minutes when Wilson's piledriver from 25 yards was too hot to handle and midfielder Sean Simmons graciously fired home the rebound.

However, Cougars refused to yield and during a counter attack reclaimed the lead, this time Beach collecting the ball from a scramble burying it in the net.

Eagles continued to fight and gave Cougars a huge scare when Sean Simmons' shot from 18 yards was sensationally saved by Brangman.

Somerset Eagles: A.Burrows; D.Woolridge, R.Simmons (S.Burrows, 78 mins), D.Burgess (M.Butterfield, 45 mins), M.Hunt, A.Lambert; K.Simmons, S.Simmons, T.Smith; L.Crofton, D.Dowling (R.Wilson, 55 mins). Subs not used: M.Dill.

Dev. Cougars: R.Brangman; D.Brangman, S.Smith, G.Butterfield, J.DeShields; O.Butterfield, K.Steede, K.Goddard, K.Saltus; R.Beach (J.Simmons, 85 mins), H.Wolffe. Subs not used: M.Smith, L.Richardson, J.Salaam.

Booked: M.Hunt (Eagles); G.Butterfield, O.Butterfield, K.Goddard, K.Saltus, R.Brangman (Cougars).

Referee: A.Mouchette

Men of the match: Keion Simmons (Eagles); Ray Beach (Cougars).