Somerset Trojans' diminutive striker Reginald Tucker was on hand to notch the lone goal for his team yesterday and spare them the blushes in their First Division opener against newly-promoted St. George's Colts.

After a first half that saw the home team produce not one direct shot on goal, Tucker slotted home the winner in the very first minute of the second half.

The Trojans' performance on the day was far from pleasing to the small partisan crowd on hand for the match. In fact they were made to play second fiddle for most of the first half by a spirited and very energetic squad from the east end.

Almost right from the opening whistle Trojans goalkeeper Winslow Williams was forced to dive low at his near post to smother a terrific shot from Sinclair Smith. Smith was a revelation in the first half, using his speed to menace the Somerset back four with diagonal runs that created space for his team-mates.

On one such occassion he drew two defenders and left Greg Foggo with a clear run at goal from the right side. The forward's low drive again brought the best out of Williams who dove well to collect the ball without giving up a rebound to Smith who was lurking inside the six-yard box. Though St. George's were creating opportunities they still showed the finishing prowess of a Second Division team as they wasted chances with errant passes and shots that should have been put away.

It took 15 minutes before the Trojans began to display the talent that is so abundant in their squad. Having survived the early pressure from their opponents, the home team began to string together passes and exposed some weaknesses in the Colts defence.

Randy Simmons collected the ball on the right touchline and ran it right across the heart of the field before laying it off for Rodney Bascome near the edge of the penalty area. Bascome hesitated with his shot just long enough for Princely Fubler to block the ball and send it away from the danger area.

As the Trojans came more into their flowing style of play, Jerry Webb and Bascome were making room on the flanks to spray balls into the St. George's goalmouth. Webb found Tucker with a neat little pass that curled around two defenders, but the resulting shot sailed well wide of the target. Webb himself was next with a chance but he too took too long to take the shot when well placed and had the ball knocked away by Fubler again.

Tucker scored his second goal of the season only seconds after the restart when he caught the visitors napping with a fine run into the heart of their goalmouth. Bascome had carried the ball beautifully down the right wing and drove the perfect pass right into the path of Tucker who easily steered the ball into the net for the winner.

With one goal under their belts the Trojans went in search of more, but impatience and, at times selfish play, was to deny them. Webb snaked his way to the edge of the Colts' area drawing two defenders with him.

With team-mates Kelly Simmons and Bascome to his right unmarked and well placed for shots he elected to shoot through a maze of legs and had the ball deflected away from the goal. Simmons though almost got on the scoresheet only minutes later when he connected with a dipping volley that sailed not far over the crossbar.

Somerset: W.Williams, B.Simons, P.Place, L.Simmons, G.Cann, R.Simmons, R.Tucker, K.Simmons (D.Robinson, 70 mins), R.Scott, J.Webb (W.Kirkpatrick, 77 mins), R.Bascome.

St.George's: T.Hall, A.Todd (D.Walker, 70 mins), D.Minors, E.Basden, P.Bailey, P.Fubler, M.Outerbridge (S.E.Smith, 83 mins), J.Ceiters, S.Denbrook, S.M.Smith, G.Foggo.

Referee: Rex Osborne.

Men of the match: Reggie Tucker (Somerset); Princely Fubler (St. George's).