Justin Corday bagged a brace for Somerset Trojans in their first win of the season at home to Devonshire Cougars yesterday.

Trojans early dominance paid off when Jaz Ratteray-Smith floated a corner to the back post, which Alton Trott chipped towards midfielder Justin Corday, who rose above the Cougars defence to head home.

A defensive lapse led to Trojans’ second goal when a long ball was allowed to bounce between three Cougars defenders, resulting in a desperate clearance for a corner.

Ratteray-Smith floated the ensuing corner to the back post where it was headed back towards goal by defender Jesse Seymour. Again, Corday rose above the Cougars defenders to give Trojans a two-goal lead.

Cougars started the second half with a little more intensity and were soon rewarded when Trojans failed to clear a goalmouth scramble allowing forward Machi Battersbee to slam the ball home from inside the six-yard box.

Midway through the half, Trojans had a penalty appeal turned down when Cougars goalkeeper Casey Hardtmann, captain Zeko White and Trojans two-goal hero Corday tangled for a loose ball resulting in all three players falling to the ground.

Trojans midfielder Makai Joell vented his annoyance to assistant referee Tracy Adams and he was ejected for using foul and abusive language.

Substitute Butterfield sealed the points for Trojans in the 85th minute after a quickly taken free kick.

Seymour sent in a firm cross which Butterfield latched onto slipping the ball pass the onrushing goalkeeper Hartmann

Cougars scored a consolation goal in injury time when Jawonday Smith went on a solo effort, beating at least two Trojans defenders before firing home.

Omar Butterfield, the Cougars coach, said: “We continue to let in set plays every week. It’s going to be a long season if we keep allowing the same things to happen.

GOALS

Somerset Trojans

Corday 8, 34, Butterfield 85

Devonshire Cougars

Battersbee 60, Smith 89

TEAMS

Somerset Trojans: J Morrissey — J Seymour, T Ming, S Brangman, R Quinn, M Joell, A Trott (sub: T Bean, 30min), M Jones, J Corday (sub: C Durham, 89), J Ratteray-Smith (sub: J Butterfield, 82), L Burgess. Sent off: M Joell. Substitutes not used: A Charles, J Greaves.

Devonshire Cougars: C Hardtmann, J Butterfield, Zeko White, Zekiro White, D Williams, C Maybury, M Steede (sub: O Bascome, 76), J Smith, C Brangman (sub: J Mallory, 45), M Battersbee, S Pearman. Booked: M Steede, Zeko White. Substitutes not used: D Simmons, N Carmichael.

Referee: L Cann.