Paget Lions avenged their 4-1 league defeat by Somerset Eagles with a hard-fought victory in this FA Cup Preliminary Round match at Southampton Oval yesterday.

“It was a well-fought game today,” Paget coach Mike Stovell said. “The approach was that we wanted to rest some of our players as we have a major league game next week against Southampton Rangers. It is a must win for us. It was also nice to avenge our league loss to Eagles.”

Both teams had good scoring opportunities midway in the first half. Julian Carpenter took a long throw-in deep in the Eagles half that was controlled by Kylon Smith, but blasted over the crossbar. Paget had another chance shortly after when Tahj Wade dribbled past three Eagles defenders only to blast his shot over the bar when well positioned.

From the resulting goal kick, Samuel Johns would get a cross in that was partially cleared, allowing Kanhai Fray to get a shot off which sailed over the crossbar. The first half ended evenly with Eagles defenders Geno Smith, Lorenzo Burch and hard-tackling youngster Azar Morrissey cancelling any threat. The Lions’ central defence of captain Jenson Rogers and Dwayshun Smith also stood firm and cleared any through balls that Eagles gave.

The breakthrough came early in the second half. A misunderstanding between Eagles keeper Lorenzo Lambert and Burch resulting in Burch making a desperation clearance for a corner. Wade was fouled from the resulting corner and referee Anthony Bailey awarded a free kick on an angle just outside the penalty area. Wade hit a low free-kick into a crowded area which was flicked towards goal by his team-mate Travis Wilkinson. The ball deflected off at least two Eagles defenders before resting in the back of the net.

Dion Stovell, a second-half substitute for Paget, threatened with his dazzling, dribbling skills but could not get the better of the Eagles defence.

Eagles pressed hard for the equaliser and came close to scoring with two minutes remaining but Alizay Furbert’s left-footed free kick curled just over the crossbar although Lions goalkeeper Jason Smith appeared to have it covered.

“It was a good game,” Eagles coach Roger Lee said. “Hats off to Paget as they [won]. We had opportunities early on but didn’t capitalise.”

SCORER

Paget Lions

Wilkinson 58

TEAMS

Paget Lions: J Carpenter, J Rogers, D Smith (sub: R Richardson, 56min), J Smith, T Wilkinson (sub: A Smith, 84), K Smith (sub: D Stovell, 66), D Curtis, T Welch, T Wade. Substitutes not used: J Beach. Booked: J Smith, Wilkinson, A Smith.

Somerset Eagles: L Lambert, S Lambert, G Smith, L Burch, A Furbert, A Morrissey, K Fray, S Johns (sub: E Fubler, 35), C Henry, A Telford (sub: D Wainwright, 61), M Iris-Simmons (sub: A Wilkinson, 84). Substitutes not used: D Simmons, J Rancourt, C Medeiros. Booked: Morrissey.

Referee: A Bailey