Boulevard 2 Somerset Trojans 1

Somerset Trojans were relegated into the First Division after a 2-1 loss to the Boulevard Blazers yesterday at St David’s.

Needing to win to at least survive for one more game, the Trojans allowed the Blazers to score a goal in each half to seal their fate. A disallowed goal in the 81st minute proved critical to the outcome of this match.

“The disallowed goal was crucial,” said deflated Trojan’s coach, Danvers Seymour Jr. “I am not pleased with the outcome but it was the referee’s call in the end. We have to accept the result.”

Needing only a point to help their own cause, the Blazers got goals from Ernest Trott and Clay Darrell respectively, to put the final nails in the Trojan’s coffin.

Boulevard had the possession in the opening stages and nearly scored in the second minute when a mis-kick from Trojan’s skipper Trevin Ming allowed Ian Coke a lobbed effort at goal which keeper Shaquille Bean did well to get a fingertip to and push over the top.

Trott was on the receiving end of a perfect cross by Zico Stovell but headed straight into the keeper’s arms. Bean then almost gifted Boulevard the opening goal when he held onto a back-pass allowing Khiry Easton to dispossess him but he managed to recover and smother the ball at Easton’s feet before he could shoot.

The opening goal came midway through the half when Clay Darrell picked out an unmarked Trott with a perfectly floated cross and he used his knee to place the ball past a stranded Bean.

Just before the half ended, the Trojans had a strong appeal for a penalty when Jakio Williams looked to have handled the ball after controlling it on his knee but referee Anthony Francis was not moved and waved play on.

After the break, the Trojans came out with more urgency in search of a goal but left gaping holes at the back. In the 49th minute, Neko Smith capitalised on this and gave Darrell a penetrating pass which beat the defence before Darrell planted his shot to the left of Bean.

The Trojans would get one back in the 60th minute when Coolridge Durham crossed for D’Andre Wainwright to scramble over the line. The Blazers appealed for handball but after consulting with his assistant, referee Francis allowed the goal to stand. With the score at 2-1, Trojans continued to fight hard for every ball.

They thought they had scored the equaliser in the 81st minute when a shot was taken from 20 yards out which deflected off Trojan’s player Jaellan Greaves sending Blazers’ keeper Antoine Famous the wrong way before ending up in the back of the net.

Play was held up as referee Francis consulted with his assistant again, only to have the goal disallowed as Greaves was deemed to be offside when he made contact with the ball.

This was the last hope the Trojans had before the final whistle sounded, sending them down.

“Boulevard gave a good fight and survived the battle,” said Troy Smith the Boulevard coach. “The most important thing today was to get a point and survive.”

SCORERS

Boulevard

Trott 21,

Darrell 49

Somerset

Wainwright 60

TEAMS

Boulevard Blazers (4-1-4-1): A Famous — Z Stovell, J Williams, J Crockwell, A Foggo (Sub: T Butterfield 46)— N Smith — D Taylor, E Trott, C Darrell (sub: T Walker 64), I Coke — K Easton (sub: T Stovell 78).

Somerset Trojans (4-1-4-1): S Bean — Jay Ratteray-Smith — T Ming — S Brangman, J Butterfield — Jaz Ratteray-Smith — A Seaman (H Butterfield 89), C Durham (sub: R Simmons 86), J Greaves, A Trott (sub: Z Smith 64) — D Wainwright. Substitutes not used: M Henschke, K Hollis

Referee: A Francis.