Dandy Town 0 Santos 0

Dandy Town left a windswept Somerset Cricket Club with their heads held high after holding a talented Santos B side to a scoreless draw in front of a large crowd that braved near gale force gusts and intermittent showers.

Although last night's match proved to be a scrappy affair - mostly due to the blustery conditions - both teams created plenty of chances to settle the issue, particularly when they had the huge advantage of playing with the wind at their backs.

The visiting team should have entered the break with at least a two-goal cushion as their superb running off the ball and excellent first touch always made them a threat attacking down either flank.

However, the Brazilians' fluid passing game was often restricted by the slick playing surface while crosses over the top of the defence resulted in the ball racing out of touch on the smaller confines of the Somerset pitch.

Town's physical approach also, at times, seemed to knock Santos out of stride.

Striker Junior nearly opened the scoring for Santos in the 15th minute, but his goal-bound header was cleared off the line by a covering Jared Peniston at the back post while diminutive midfielder Tiago tested Cymande Davis - who put in yet another stellar performance between the sticks to keep his team afloat - from distance with a crisp drive that the ‘keeper dived to his left to collect.

Kept on the defensive for the most part, Town also had their share of opportunities to break the ice first.

Five minutes before the half, Santos were finally introduced to Hornets' in-form striker Carlos Smith, who like a hot knife slicing through butter, produced a series of defence-splitting passes, a ferocious drive that was pushed around the post and an inswinging corner that was nearly forced across the line by Seyoum Tuzo and Maurice Lowe following a goalmouth scramble.

That Hornets were able to prevent Santos from cashing in on their first half wind advantage also owed much to Davis who patrolled his area with authority and was equal to the task on many occasions.

Davis produced the save of the match when he somehow got a glove to Junior's point-blank shot and then held his breath as Geilson bounced the ensuing rebound over the bar with a downward shot.

Santos' coaching staff, vocal throughout the match, must not have been too amused at the break, having kept Town pinned in their own terrain for long spells and failing to capitalise on their advantage.

But whatever coach Abel barked at his team during the break certainly had little effect when play restarted as Town seized a slight edge over their South American opponents, aided now with the wind at their backs.

Hornets midfielder Dennis Zuill enjoyed another busy day at the office and was nearly rewarded for his hard work midway through the second period when his 30-yard free kick rattled the woodwork with ‘keeper Saulo completely beaten.

That close call appeared to inject life into Town and they set about the task of unlocking a now unsettled Santos defence with renewed confidence.

Wiry forward Khano Smith and Zuill combined on the edge of the 18 yard box, resulting in Saulo saving the latter's first-time drive with his feet.

Hornets then made a series of substitutions to keep the pressure on with Lashun Dill joining the fray and acquitting himself admirably against the visiting team, now clearly frustrated by their own inability to convert at the other end.

Then, just when it appeared a draw was imminent, Town sub Kevin Hurdle - on the pitch for no more than 30 seconds - nearly sealed what would have been a major upset win for Hornets with his very first touch of the ball.

However, it wasn't to be as Hurdle's point-blank shot from six yards was blocked on the line and cleared away for a corner, while Town substitute ‘keeper Daniel Johnson took a leaf out of Davis' book by bravely saving at the feet of the onrushing Felipe to ensure his team walked away with their pride intact.

“I thought the big guy (Hurdle) was going to do it for us. But we are thankful for the result,” commented Town coach Devarr Boyles, visibly satisfied with the final outcome of the match.

“Both teams had their moments but I think the wind ultimately destroyed the match.”

Dandy Town: C.Davis (D.Johnson, 73 mins), K.Mundy, D.Lawler, C.Anderson, D.Zuill (K.Hurdle, 79 mins), L.Furbert (T.Douglas, 73 mins), S.Tuzo (D.Simons, 70 mins), J.Peniston (L.Dill, 61 mins), M.Lowe, C.Smith, K.Smith (L.Holder, 83 mins).

Santos: Saulo, Hekio, Tiago (Welder, 64 mins), Ze Leandro, Lucas, Nadson, Geilson, Vinicius (Bruno, 86 mins), Junior (Felipe, 59 mins), Cadu (Edmilson, 73 mins), Renato.

Yellow cards: M.Lowe (Dandy Town); Nadson, Junior (Santos)

Men of the match: C.Davis (Town); Geilson (Santos)

Referee: Anthony Mouchette.