Somerset Trojans 4 Dandy Town 2

A thunderous 89th minute blast from Somerset midfielder Tori Davis brought any hopes of a late Dandy Town revival to a screeching halt at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday and fired Trojans to the top of the Premier Division tables.

Though Trojans' two-goal hero Damon Ming converted a 53rd minute penalty and Rohaan Simons (68 mins) capitalised from close range to give the home team a 3-1 lead, Town refused to lay down and play dead and came storming back through skipper Lionel Furbert's 79th minute goal which set the stage for an exciting finish.

But Davis had other ideas in mind and, like poetry in motion, ran onto a Ming pass inside the visitor's 18-yard box and fired home a wicked drive that beat Town 'keeper Antoine Lightbourne for pace and nestled into the far top right-hand corner.

The goal, brutal in nature, finally killed off a Town side who, had they capitalised on some earlier opportunities, may have left Somerset dancing to the beat of a different drum - or rather bell.

The late sending off of Town defender Randy Swan only served to further compound the visitor's woes as Trojans chalked up their third league win of the season to go two points ahead of Devonshire Colts in the standings.

Ming and Sri Wilson earlier traded goals during a first-half in which play was just as gloomy as yesterday's overcast conditions.

Town, appearing more organised when going forward during the opening moments of this encounter, threatened on several occasions to break the deadlock.

After forcing three successive corners, Town's Kevin Hurdle was presented with two bites at the cherry to forge his team into the lead, however, his finishing in front of goal let him down as Trojans' 'keeper Timmy Figureido easily smothered both attempts.

At the other end, Ming saw two adventurous long range shots go high and wide.

Somerset also made an early substitution in the 23rd minute when Curtis Grant came on to replace former Town striker McLee Smith who came off complaining of stomach pains.

Town again threatened to score on a quick raid deep in Trojan terrain but Gregg Foggo's cross from out on the left-flank was redirected into the arms of Figureido by a free Wolde Place standing inside the six-yard box.

Then moments later it was Foggo who made a hash of things when he fired miserably wide instead of crossing into the area where at least three of his team-mates were in a better position to shoot.

But despite these early chances, it was Trojans who stormed out in front against the run of play - and what a beauty it was. After Ming dispossessed Justin Robinson deep into his own half, the diminutive Somerset forward dribbled some five yards before rifling in a shot that found its mark in the roof of the net from 15 yards out.

Undaunted, Town responded and after Hurdle and Figureido had collided while challenging for a loose ball, hard work from the ever industrious Carlos Smith deep down Somerset's right saw the veteran forward evade a challenge and send in pinpoint cross that left Wilson with the simple task of side-footing into the net among a bevy of players.

Trojans came back out a different bunch at the start of the second-half, and within minutes of the restart Ming put his team back out in front via the penalty spot after Simons was fouled attempting to get on the end of Grant's piercing pass.

Ming's first spot-kick was saved by Lightbourne, however, referee Stuart Crockwell ordered the kick to be retaken after he judged the 'keeper to have moved too soon. Ming made no mistake with the second offering, planting his shot to the 'keeper's right.

Simons then scored Trojans' third goal after he was put through by Grant some 15 minutes later to put his team firmly in command.

Town managed to pull one back when Furbert pounced onto a deflected loose ball from a Brendon O'Riordan free-kick just inside the six-yard box to give Figureido absolutely no chance.

Town then introduced Janeiro Tucker and Seion Darrell into their attack, while Maurice Lowe also came on late as the visitors opted for fresher legs.

O'Riordan and Foggo were also booked late in the match to go along with Smith's first-half yellow card as frustration began to set in the Town camp.

Swan was given his marching orders in the 87th minute when he was blown for tugging on Davis' jersey barely seconds after receiving a yellow card for a foul on Ming. Referee Crockwell had no hesitation in sending the player off.

Town continued to press forward in search of a desperate equaliser, but further half-chances by Tucker, Smith and Hurdle amounted to nothing and it was Davis - in full stride - who produced the late fireworks.

Somerset: T.Figureido, J.Martin, G.Ray, R.Scott, D.Lawler (M.Belboda, 64 min), D.Ming, T.Davis, D.Stovell (K.Roberts, 60 mins), M.Smith (C.Grant, 23 min), R.Simons, D.Francis

Dandy Town: A.Lightbourne, J.Robinson (M.Lowe, 73 min), P.Douglas, R.Swan, L.Furbert, B.O'Riordan, C.Smith, G.Foggo, S.Wilson (J.Tucker, 60 min), K.Hurdle, W.Place (S.Darrell, 68 min).

Booked: C.Smith, G.Foggo, B.Oriordan (Dandy Town);

Sent off: R.Swan (Dandy Town).

Men of the match: D.Ming (Somerset); C.Smith (Dandy Town).

Referee: S.Crockwell.