Ireland Rangers 1

Somerset Trojans 1

A disputed Jelani Scott penalty 15 minutes from time spared the blushes of Dudley Eve and Friendship Trophy champions Somerset Trojans at Malabar Field yesterday.

Just when it appeared as though Jonathan Bean's first-half strike would do the trick for hosts Ireland Rangers, sub Rodre (Piper) Wilson leapt from the bench and won a penalty for a ten-men Trojans side that skipper Scott rifled past 'keeper Ricky Tucker.

While the final result might've been a morale booster for Premier Division newcomers Rangers, Trojans would not have been satisfied with a dismal performance that could easily have ended in defeat.

Apart from sporadic flashes in the pan of brilliance from the nomadic Adolphus Lambert and hustle in midfield by Jelani (Roots) Butterfield, Trojans appeared a dis-jointed bunch at best in dire need of direction on the pitch. Rangers also lacked organisation at times but more than compensated with their unrelenting desire to pull one over their fancied opponents during a scrappy and emotionally charged West End derby that lived up to expectations.

The last time these two old rivals clashed at Somerset Cricket Club two seasons ago, both were made to settle for a share of the spoils.

And lightning struck twice yesterday in sweltering heat, though Rangers might have felt hard done by over Wilson's perceived late theatrics in the box.

During a heated first half that saw FIFA ref Lyndon Raynor book five players and send Trojans striker Coefield Robinson to an early shower for cursing, pandemonium erupted when Bean latched onto the end of a Henry Santucci pass in the box and stroked the ball into an empty net to apply the finishing touches to a Rangers counter-attack that caught Trojans short at the back. Bean's strike seemed to jolt Trojans into action, who then responded with Jabrel Tucker forcing 'keeper Tucker to push a point -blank effort around the post and then Lambert's inswinging free-kick found the upright.

But with half-time looming, the visitors suffered a double whammy when sweeper Desmond Burgess hobbled off with an injured right knee and then young Robinson lost his cool.

Trojans came out with a bit more purpose after the break but were lucky to go unpunished for slack defending at the rear, as Rangers tried desperately to put the match beyond the visitors' reach.

Bean should have easily converted from yards out with only 'keeper Timmy Figureido to beat while Santucci fired wide of the mark after a Leslie Trew long ball unlocked the defence.

Trojans deputising coach Stephen Astwood inserted youngster Marcelos Thomas and Wilson for the out-of-touch Rodney Bascome and Damon Swan.

And the decision almost immediately paid dividends as the pair added another demension to Somerset's attack. But just minutes away from what would've been a famous victory, the bottom fell out of Rangers' celebration plans when skipper Sean Brangman hacked Wilson down in the box, and a composed Scott made no mistake with his spot-kick, drilling the ball to Tucker's right to earn Trojans a point they probably didn't deserve.

Ireland Rangers: R.Tucker, G.Butterfield, L.Trew, J.Martin (W.Anderson, 80 mins),J.Rogers, J.DeSilva (M.Carvelho, 70 mins), S.Brangman (capt), W.Mills, M.Lopes (A.Outerbridge, 45 mins), J.Bean, H.Santuccui.

Somerset Trojans: T.Figureido, M.Butterfield, D.Burgess (G.Smith, 43 mins), D.Minors, D.Swan (M.Thomas, 55 mins), J.Butterfield, J.Scott (capt), A.Lambert, J.Tucker, C.Robinson, R.Bascome (R.Wilson, 55 mins).

Yellow cards: L.Trew, W.Mills, J.Bean (Rangers); D.Burgess, J.Scott, J.Tucker (Somerset).

Sent off: C.Robinson (Somerset).

Men of the match: J.Bean (Rangers); A.Lambert (Somerset).

Referee: L.Raynor.