St David’s 1

St George’s 2

St George’s showed their win over previously unbeaten St David’s at the weekend wasn’t a fluke when they struck two late goals last night at Goose Gosling Field to book a place in the quarter-finals of the First Division Shield.

St David’s, determined to avenge that 6-0 hammering, were holding on to a slim lead given to them when Andrew Paynter scored in the 32nd minute, but St George’s piled on the pressure in the second half and were finally rewarded when Jarreau Hayward, their captain, grabbed two late goals to seal a dramatic victory.

They will now meet the winners of tonight’s other preliminary round match between Paget and Ireland Rangers on December 13.

After Hayward had a shot tipped around the post by Kaylin Darrell in the twelfth minute, and St George’s went close again on the half hour when Jarazinho Bassett’s low cross from a corner went untouched across the six-yard box, St David’s took the lead through Paynter.

A free kick from the edge of the centre circle by Shea Pitcher saw Charlie Marshall, the St George’s goalkeeper, only succeed in punching the ball straight to Paynter who converted the rebound.

The outcome of the match might have been different had veteran Otis Minors converted a good chance two minutes into the second half.

He caught Marshall off his line but the volley sailed over the crossbar.

Gradually St George’s started to impose themselves more on their opponents, as St David’s lost some momentum with injuries to Diego McCallan and Shea Pitcher, who limped off with hamstring and knee injuries respectively.

Both are likely to miss Saturday’s First Division top-of-the-table clash with Flanagan’s Onions.

St George’s were now applying sustained pressure as Hayward misdirected a header after Kyle Denbrook placed a perfect pass onto his head inside the box.

Hayward made amends for that miss by scoring the equaliser five minutes later, converting from close range after Bassett provided the cross from the left following a good run down the flank.

Extra time was looming as Marshall made a crucial save with his legs from a St David’s corner, and then substitute Mitchell Tucker wasted a good chance to be the hero when his run into the box on the right side only produced a corner after the goalkeeper narrowed the angle.

St George’s dramatically won the match in the first minute of stoppage time when Bassett swung a corner in from the left and Hayward powered his header past Darrell, to spark scenes of celebration among his team-mates.

Two more preliminary round matches are scheduled for tonight at Devonshire Recreation Club, where Paget will look to make it three wins on the trot against Ireland Rangers in the Shield, before Robin Hood, the Friendship Trophy holders, meet Somerset.

The teams met on Saturday night at Goose Gosling Field, with Lejuan Simmons’s hat-trick leading Hood to a 4-1 win over the league champions.