Robin Hood 4

Somerset Trojans 1

Kyle Lightbourne, the Robin Hood coach, was able to put his feet up yesterday, watch a couple of Barclays Premier League matches on television, then take in the PHC and Southampton Rangers encounter, knowing that Robin Hood would still be in second place in the standings.

Hood moved level on 16 points with leaders Dandy Town after Saturday’s impressive victory over the league champions, with Lejuan Simmons scoring a hat-trick at Goose Gosling Field.

“Lee-Lee was immense tonight, I asked the big players to step up and he definitely stepped up,” Lightbourne said. “At times tonight he was unplayable. We tried to get at their flanks and [provide] cross field balls and two of the goals came from that.”

The winger played a big part in the victory that sent Somerset crashing to defeat after they failed to hold on to the early lead, courtesy of Johnny Bean, who scored with a well-struck volley after just six minutes.

Simmons opened his account with the equaliser in the fifteenth minute, when winger Kenny DeSilva provide a good cross from the right and Simmons side-footed home at the far post.

Nathan Peskett, the Hood midfielder had two headers cleared off the line, and Tahj Wade, the Somerset striker, also went close, firing just wide as the two sides fought for control of the game.

Hood finally pulled ahead a minute before half-time when Simmons converted from the sharpest of angles, and when Peskett scored a third in the 55th minute, the points were in the bag for Robin Hood.

Simmons sensed a hat-trick, and smashed a shot against the crossbar before finally blasting home in the 76th minute.

There was still time for Ayshaun Smith to miss a penalty for Somerset, who had a night they would rather forget.

“It’s definitely a good position to be in, we’re working hard to keep pace with Dandy Town,” Lightbourne said.

“We got our three points, and just have to come back for training on Monday and go from there.

“I’m pleased with the performance from goalkeeper right up to number nine [striker]. We kept a clean sheet in the last game but the whole front line didn’t play.

“The big players showed up tonight and Peskett was immense, he puts in a lot of work.”