Devonshire Cougars 2 Somerset Trojans 2

Newly promoted Somerset Trojans erased a two-goal deficit to earn a hard-fought draw against Devonshire Cougars at Devonshire Rec on Sunday night.

Kenji Mills equalised in the first minute of added time after Cougars had been reduced to ten men when Enyche Zuill was sent off for using insulting and abusive language towards the referee in the 85th minute of play.

The match started at a good pace and Trojans threatened early when Mills made a darting run down the right flank but his low cross rolled across the goalmouth untouched.

Cougars responded soon after with a good build-up from the middle of the park with the ball landing at the foot of Justin Bell, but he would shoot tamely at Trojans goalkeeper Kyjuan Symonds.

Cougars enjoyed a period of possession with Christian Albuoy getting off a firm drive but straight at Symonds who cupped it easily. The goalkeeper was again called into action moments later, making a brilliant fingertip save to push Samario Valasse-Paul’s drive over the top.

On the half-hour mark, Justin Corday’s free kick just missed the top right corner with Cougars’ goalkeeper Chazz Knight beaten.

Trojans captain Jadan Ratteray-Smith and Jadon Simmons had a good give and go but the latter would blast over the top from just inside the box.

Cougars continued to apply the pressure with Trojans defender Eijaz Shakir gifting the opening goal in the 43rd minute.

Christian Albuoy chased down Keishon Bean’s long ball forward only for Shakir to attempt a clearance but instead his half volley sailed into the roof of his net from just outside the box giving his goalkeeper no chance.

Trojans nearly equalised before the interval but Michari Tear-Deleon headed over the top from a well taken corner.

Cougars started the second half on the front foot and doubled their lead when Valasse-Paul played substitute Mosias Mills through. His pull back found Albuoy, whose low drive beat the outstretched arms of a diving Symonds before going in off the upright.

The youthful Trojans outfit never gave up and they pulled one back when Jecos Thomas attempted to clear Kenji Mills’s cross but the ball richoceted off Jadan Ratteray-Smith and rolled into the net beyond the stranded Cougars goalkeeper.

Trojans should have equalised late in the match when Kynde Mallory’s cross found Mills unmarked in the centre of the box but he shot feebly at Knight who stretched his body wide to make the save.

Cougars were reduced to ten men in the 85th minute when substitute Enyche Zuill was sent off leaving both teams to play out a nail-biting finish.

Trojans found the deserved equaliser when Knight palmed a Justin Corday scorcher into the path off Mills, who was unmarked and unleashed a low drive which went in off the upright.

Cougars captain Zari Simmons should have put the game to rest in the dying moments but he headed a Mills corner down with the ball bouncing over the crossbar seconds before referee William Kwinsi blew the final whistle.

Goalscorers

Devonshire Cougars: E Shakir og 43, C Albuoy 60

Somerset Trojans: Jadan Ratteray-Smith 68, K Mills 90+1

Teams

Devonshire Cougars (4-2-3-1): C Knight, Zari Simmons, S Valasse-Paul, K Bean, L Evans, J Bell, C Burns, C Brangman, C Albuoy, J Thomas, Zion Simmons. Substitutes: E Zuill, D Johnson, D Scraders, C Nesbitt, Q Lambert, M Mills, O Smith. Booked: Zion Simmons, Albuoy. Sent off: Zuill.

Somerset Trojans (4-2-3-1): K Symonds, Jaden Ratteray-Smith, J Corday M Tear-DeLeon, J Shields, E Shakir, Z Saltus-Seymour, K Mill, Kymani McNeil, Kameron McNeil, M Joell. Substitutes: K Simmons, Ratteray-Smith-Smith, M Nisbett-Tankard, K Mallory, R Curtis, T Burgess, M Aden. Booked: Joell, Jaz Ratteray-Smith.

Referee: William Kwinsi (Trinidad)