Devonshire Cougars 1 North Village 1

Quinn Outerbridge’s own goal with the last kick of the game gave Devonshire Cougars a share of the spoils in the Premier Division encounter at Devonshire Recreation Club last night.

Village appeared to have done just enough to have secured their first league win of the season before Cougars substitute Domico Coddington’s low cross inside the box in late stoppage time went in off defender Outerbridge. Referee Tashun Simons blew the final whistle seconds later.

To add insult to injury, Village coach Cal Dill Jr ran on to the pitch to vent his frustration at the referee for the amount of time added on and was shown a red card.

Cougars coach Mark Smith was delighted to see his team’s determination ultimately pay off.

“It was exciting and never-say-die until the end,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“We were on top of the game and got undone by a long ball. But I told the guys to relax and keep going. It’s never over until it’s over.”

Village scorer Jonté Smith felt a draw was probably no more than both teams deserved.

“It’s a hard one to take but to be fair to Cougars there was nothing in the game,” he said.

“I don't’ think we were particularly great. I don’t think they were particularly great. A draw at the end of the day is probably a fair result.”

Cougars dominated possession and created ample chances. They came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when midfielder Mosais Mills’s 30-yard effort smashed off the woodwork.

Smith’s spectacular volley from outside the box put Village in front against the grain with 20 minutes left to play.

However, the visitors were unable to hold on with Outerbridge’s late misfortune gifting Cougars a share of the spoils.

In the opening First Division contest, Robin Hood thrashed Vasco 6-2.

Keishen Bean led Hood’s charge with five goals, while Sammy Corollo scored their other. Vasco replied through goals from Lucas Marcel and Kevin Aruda.

SCORERS

Devonshire Cougars: Outerbridge (og) 90+4

North Village: J Smith 70

TEAMS

Devonshire Cougars (4-2-3-1): C Knight 7 — J Wilson-Butterfield 7 (sub: J Brimmer, 89min), L Millett 7 (sub: O Smith, 89)), M Turner 7, T Tucker 7 — Z Simons 7, M Thomas 7 (sub: C Albouy, 75) — M Mills 8, C Burns 6 (sub: D Coddington, 68 6), K Browne 8 — C Brangman 7. Substitutes not used: Z Simmons, Q Darrell, A Daniels. Booked: Mills.

North Village (3-5-2): D Bell 7 — J Outerbridge 6, T Williams 6 (sub: T Outerbridge, 33 5; sub: P Smith 61, 6), K Harrison 6 — Q Outerbridge 5, R Sampson 6, K Cann 6, L Steede 6, C Caisey 6 — A Dill 6 (sub: J Hayward, 89), J Smith 7. Substitutes not used: T Tucker, Jabri Hayward. Booked: Sampson. Sent off: C Dill (coach).

Referee: T Simons.