Social Club 1 Robin Hood 2

Two first-half goals by Antwan Russell and Shakir Smith were sufficient to give Robin Hood victory over a ten-man Young Men’s Social Club at Police Field yesterday.

Jarizhino Simmons scored a consolation goal in the final minute with the defeat leaving Social Club still searching for their first league win of the season.

“This was a tough and physical game, which we got caught up in, but we fought on and won,” John Barry Nusum, the Hood coach, said.

Social Club may have racked up the fouls but it was Hood who dominated the game as they took a deserved lead in the seventh minute.

Clay Darrell, the Social Club captain and forward, hustled back to help his defence but in his anxiety, he bundled over Smith in the penalty box.

Russell slotted the spot kick hard and low, beating the outstretched arm of Social Club goalkeeper Reid Trott.

Social Club had two scoring attempts in the first half against the run of play. Darrell’s corner found the head of Michael Smith at the back post but he headed just wide and then another cross by Darrell was met by the head of Andrew Samuels only to go wide of the upright.

A defensive error led to Hood’s second goal when defender Kelly Francois held onto the ball too long when it was easier to clear it.

He was dispossessed inside the six-yard box and the ball rolled to Smith who planted his shot into the back of the net.

The game was filled with many reckless and careless fouls from both teams, with both coaches encouraging their players to keep the game clean.

Hood continued to dominate in the second half but were guilty of several offside calls allowing Social Club to stay in the game.

Social Club were reduced to ten men in the 71st minute when defender Lawrence Doughty was dismissed after receiving his second yellow card having earlier been cautioned for unsporting behaviour.

Darrell thought that he had pulled a goal back when he headed in from a free kick only to have the goal disallowed for being offside.

Social Club would eventually score in stoppage time when Simmons forced the ball over the line from a corner kick.

Despite the loss Kameron Fox, the Social Club coach, remained upbeat. “This was a learning experience,” he said. “We fought hard and are getting stronger as a team.”

TEAMS

Social Club (4-3-3): R Trott — L Doughty, K Francois, C Woolridge, M Smith — K Butterfield, A Samuels, G Saltus (sub: J Simmons, 74), N Armstrong (D Hill, 67) — C Burgess (P Darrell, 54), M Young, C Darrell. Substituted not used:

K Butterfield, D Hill. Booked: A Samuels, G Saltus, K Butterfield, C Darrell, L Doughty.

Robin Hood (4-3-3): J Simons — J Bather, J Pereira, D Andrade (Z Burgess, 61min), J Titterton — C Caisey, L Symonds, S Smith — L Simmons, A Russell, M Burchall (P Franzioni, 86). Substitutes not used: N. Peskett. Booked:

L Symonds, A Russell.

Referee: A Francis.