Southampton Rangers 1

Somerset Trojans 1

Shaki Swan’s thumping volley salvaged a precious point for relegation-threatened Southampton Rangers at Southampton Oval yesterday as Somerset Trojans paid the price for failing to capitalise on a plethora of chances.

Swan, the Rangers midfielder, gained possession just inside the 18-yard box and crashed the ball into the roof of the net with Shaquille Bean, the Trojans goalkeeper, well beaten for pace.

Swan’s stunning goal lifted the home team who then came to within inches of winning when Ezekiel Stoneham’s volley sailed just wide of the far post.

Earlier, Jonathan Bean, the Trojans striker, put the visiting side ahead when he angled in a shot from 12 yards past Jason Smith, the Rangers goalkeeper, who had a major say in his team’s hard-fought draw.

Smith was called upon on several occasions to keep Trojans at bay and proved equal to the task.

Trojans dominated possession, created more chances and were the better of the two teams. However, the visiting side lacked cutting edge in the attacking third which enabled the home side to stay in the game.

Trojans were the superior side in the first half and should have put the game to bed before the interval.

Smith made a spectacular fingertip save to repel Tahj Wade’s 30-yard thunderbolt that seemed destined for the roof of the net.

Bean and Trevin Ming, the Trojans captain, then failed to get a boot to Wade’s inviting cross as the visiting side piled on the pressure.

Smith was then called into action, this time racing off his line to courageously gather the ball off the feet of Bean who perhaps took one touch to many rather than pulling the trigger.

These squandered opportunities nearly came back to haunt Trojans as Swan stung Bean’s palms with an ambitious 40-yard shot on a counterattack straight down the middle.

For all of their dominance the visiting side had nothing to show at the interval, which did not amuse Keishen Smith, the Trojans coach, in the least.

Smith read his players the riot act during the break and it seemed to do the trick as Bean struck in the 52nd minute to give Trojans a deserved lead.

Shortly after falling behind, Rangers suffered another setback when Andrew Raynor, the left back, limped off after injuring his right foot in a tackle.

The game opened up with both teams showing attacking intent only to be denied by poor finishing, wayward passing and good defending.

Rangers’ never-say-die attitude finally paid off just past the hour mark when Swan was given just enough room to work his magic and earn his team a deserved share of the spoils.

TEAMS

Scorers

Southampton Rangers (Swan, 66)

Somerset Trojans (Bean, 52)

Southampton Rangers (4-5-1): J Smith — A Raynor (sub: K Symonds, 63min), S Perinchief, J Hill, S Astwood — J Dyer, V Perinchief, S Swan, R Lowe, E Stoneham — A Bean. Substitutes not used: N Mello.

Somerset Trojans (4-4-2): S Bean — A Lambert, S Brangman, T Ming, C Durham — J Gooden (sub: A Seaman, 74), A Trott (sub: V Blanchette, 90), T Wade, J Ratteray-Smith (sub: A Smith, 74) — D Stovell, J Bean. Substitutes not used: T Brown, R Ford, D Woods, L Burgess.

Referee: G Swainson.