Wolves 0 Somerset Trojans 1

Veteran Randy Simmons struck with an 87th minute penalty to give Somerset maximum points in Saturday night's Premier Division clash at BAA Field.

The wily defender, playing in his third decade of top flight soccer, clinically placed his match-winning spot-kick to the right of goalkeeper Corby Durrant, much to the delight of the west end fans.

"I thought for the most part we dominated the game," reflected Somerset coach Mark Trott moments after the final whistle. "The first 45 minutes belonged to us, but we failed to convert.

"I think (Wolves coach) Dennis (Brown) did a good job motivating his team at the break, because they were a totally different team in the second half.

"But I thought to our credit, our players kept digging deep. But I'm not surprised, because they have really committed themselves lately."

The defeat means that Wolves remain winless in over 360 minutes of soccer since capturing the Dudley Eve Trophy over the Christmas and New Year holiday.

From the outset, Somerset ran at their hosts, exhibiting a first-touch passing game that in the initial stages had Wolves chasing shadows. Tokia Russell, running rampant down the left flank, caused all sorts of problems in the 12th minute when he put in a telling pass that gave Dwight Basden a free run at goal. But to the relief of Durrant, his first-time shot trickled harmlessly wide.

Wolves captain Nakia Smith took matters into his own hands, penetrating deep into Somerset territory, before being hacked down by Russell, whose name was the first of several to enter referee Anthony Mouchette's book.

Midway through the half, Somerset's David Lawler and Russell combined well on the break before Lawler's cross found the head of Basden whose shot sailed past the upright.

Wolves had Jared Peniston's inswinging corner greeted by Smith but his shot was deflected for another corner. And from the resulting kick, Peniston caused more problems for goalkeeper Timmy Figureido.

Peniston then had a golden chance just before the half after Vince Minors singled out the energetic forward with an accurate cross from the left, but his free header rolled miserably wide.

When play resumed after the interval, Wolves appeared hungrier and during a turbulent 25 minutes they applied the pressure, their best chance falling to Peniston, whose firm, low drive just from inside the box rocked Figureido's upright.

In the 76th minute, Peniston wriggled his way through the Trojans' defence but, with a clear view of goal, hastily pushed the ball beyond his reach and lost the chance.

The pendulum finally swung in Somerset's favour in the latter stages of the half, moments after coach Mark Trott had introduced Kwame Tucker, Marvin Belboda and Curtis Grant.

The triple substitution quickly paid dividends.

Belboda was first to get on the end of a long ball pushed forward and after shielding the ball in anticipation of Basden's run, he fed his team-mate with a deft flick to send the captain into the box. To the bewilderment of all of the Wolves' gathering, Anthony Thomas blatantly clipped the forward inside the area.

It was then left to Simmons to step up and slam home the spot-kick.

Wolves: C.Durrant, J.Simmons, T.Trott, K.Parfitt, A.Thomas, T.Davis, N.Smith, R.Ebbin, J.Peniston, V.Minors, C.Simmons

Somerset: T.Figuredo, T.Fubler, R.Scott, R.Simmons, A.Rahman, S.Ming (K.Tucker 75 mins), D.Lawler (C.Grant 80 mins), T.Russell, D.Basden, O.Shakir, D.Rahman (M.Belboda 60 mins).

Bookings: C.Durrant, J.Samuels, A.Thomas, T.Davis, N.Smith (Wolves); D.Lawler, T.Russell, M.Belboda (Somerset).

Men of the match: K.Parfitt (Wolves); D.Basden (Somerset).

Referee: Anthony Mouchette.