Somerset Trojans got off to a winning start in their first season back in the First Division when a second half strike by winger Michael Brangman gave them a deserved three points against fellow promoted side Hotels last night at Somerset.

Any other result would have been an injustice for the Trojans who looked the better team throughout. Hotels had a few chances but their front line was largely ineffective against a Trojans defence that was marshalled by Andrew Rahman and Dion Woolridge.

Last year Hotels went unbeaten in the league but this performance would suggest they will have their work cut out for them in the First Division.

Scoring looked difficult but with the likes of Marlon Lindsay and Dennis Robinson on the bench things should get better.

Somerset kept their opponents on the defensive most of the night and had the ball in the net in the 11th minute, but the effort was ruled out following a foul on goalkeeper Stefan Dupres by Steven Burrows, one of the new signings for the Trojans.

The former Eagles player linked up well up front with Brangman and Franklyn Simmons, who returned from Vasco.

Hotels, too, fielded a few new players but all Dion Wainwright and Sandy Boyles could manage was bookings for first half fouls.

Wainwright, the veteran former Wolves striker, was cautioned for pulling in a late challengee on goalkeeper Winslow (Scaley) Williams after Williams beat him to a ball inside the penalty box.

Midfielder Marco Butterfield went close for Somerset on the half hour when he was allowed to run through the middle before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box which Dupres turned around a post.

Then Simmons had a shot cleared off the line following a corner on the left which was only half-cleared.

Hotels were soaking up a lot of pressure as their defence was kept busy by some fluent Somerset moves.

However, they had to wait until the 51st minute to score what would be the winning goal. A failed clearance attempt resulted in the ball dropping back inside the Hotels penalty area and Brangman pounced to smash home a shot from close range.

Both teams made substitutions on the hour, with Karl Roberts, who missed the whole of last season with Vasco, coming on to replace David Rahman in the Trojans midfield while Marlon Lindsay replaced Zaine Bolin for Hotels. After the game dropped a notch as both teams appeared to tire a bit, Butterfield brought the game back to life with a 78th minute effort that almost produced a second goal. His effort from the right edge of the penalty area smashed against the top corner of the framework.

Then Michael Brangman went close with a left-foot shot from 20 yards that went just past the post.

Somerset played it safe in the closing minutes, hanging on for the victory that should give them some confidence going into their next match against Devonshire Cougars. Hotels will be involved in the Friendship competition next week before taking on Southampton Rangers next Sunday.

Somerset: W.Williams; R.Brangman, A.Rahman, D.Woolridge, S.Riley; M.Butterfield, D.Rahman (K.Roberts 60min), J.Scott, F.Simmons (C.Anderson 71min), S.Burrows, M.Brangman.

Hotels: S.Dupres; D.Sharrieff, F.Francis, C.Roberts, W.Crockwell, S.Boyles, Z.Bolin (M.Lindsay 60min), C.Sabir, M.Holdipp, J.Weeks, D.Wainwright.

Referee: Richard Knight Men of match: Marco Butterfield (Somerset), Clifford Roberts (Hotels)