<Bz47>Late penalty seals Trojans' triumph
Somerset Trojans 1
North Village 0
A Jelani Scott penalty ten minutes from time gave Somerset Trojans victory over a determined North Village side last night at The Den in the Premier’s Dudley Eve Trophy.
In a game choc-a-bloc with incident but low in overall quality, the two teams were locked at nil-nil until Scott was put through on goal by a defence-splitting pass — only to be brought down by Village ‘keeper Jason Williams as he dived in desperation at the Bermuda international’s dancing feet.
Referee Anthony Francis — whose decisions on the night gave neither manager much pleasure — had absolutely no alternative but to award the penalty and send Williams off, leaving Village defender Robert Wilson to fill in between the posts as Scott stuck it past him for the win.
At the other end of the field, meanwhile, and with only seconds remaining, Village looked to have an equally legitimate shout for a penalty as the pacey Ralph Bean jr was sent tumbling when through on goal.
On this occasion though, Francis’ whistle stayed silent — much to the annoyance of the usually reserved Village coach Dwayne (Streaker) Adams.
While they will no doubt be the first to admit that they can still play better, Trojans now move on to play Premier Division leaders Boulevard on home turf this Saturday night — with the victor in that game progressing to take on defending champions Devonshire Cougars in the final at Wellington Oval on New Year’s day.
Making his first appearance at a tournament of which he and his Government are now the official — and controversial — sponsors, Premier Ewart Brown was on hand to greet both teams before kickoff and watched the game along with Bermuda Football Association president Larry Mussenden from the club balcony.
A self-proclaimed sports fanatic, the Premier could have been forgiven if he was slightly disappointed by the general standard of football during the 90 minutes.
Though nobody could fault the work ethic of either side, with both sets of players — particularly in the second half — throwing themselves into tackles and running around enthusiastically, it was the consistent absence of a killer final ball which was primarily responsible for the lack of clear-cut chances carved out in either half.
North Village: J.Williams, R.Wilson, L.Alexander, K.Jennings (D.Simons 45), K.Dill, T.Manders, R.Bean jr, K.Dill, N.Smith, T.Jennings, (T.Burgess 29), D.Degraff (ean 69)
Booked: <$>D.Minors, D.Swan ojans)
Sent off: <$>J.Williams (Vill)
Men of the Match<$>: J.Scott (Trojans), R.Bean jr (Village)
Referee/B>Anthony Francis
Southampton Rangers 0
<*Goals from Dane Simmons and Kareem Grant sealed victory for Wolves over Southampton Rangers last night in the night’s opening First Division Dudley Eve clash.
Wolves now move on to play Ireland Rangers tomorrow, a team they lost to 3-1 in the same petition on December 22.
