Somerset Trojans 3 Robin Hood 1

Somerset Trojans continued their good start to the league campaign, with a solid 3-1 victory over a resilient Robin Hood team at Somerset Cricket Club on Wednesday night.

Both teams had their moments in what was an evenly matched contest, however, it was the host who made the most of their opportunities in the final third of the pitch to take all three points.

In the end, the result left Somerset coach Jomar Wilkinson pleased with the way his men managed the game against a tough opponent.

“My hat goes off to Robin Hood, who came out with a strong game plan and made it very difficult for us at home with an organised press,” said Wilkinson. “We had to absorb some pressure during different periods of the match but we adapted well by playing a little more direct to exploit the space in behind and that’s where we were able to cause problems and create openings.”

The pace of the match was high from the start with both teams asking questions of each other defensively. The Trojans had the better of the early exchanges and would eventually find the opener through Jakari Furbert in the 17th minute.

Furbert will have to thank Leo Burgess, who broke the line with a strong run down the right flank and his square pass found the striker, who finished firmly into the top corner.

Moments later, Furbert was at it again, but this time he could only drag his shot wide of the far post after dribbling into the left side of the box, taking on his defender and creating space for himself.

Just when it looked like the home side were going to take full control of the match, Che Brangman popped up to draw things level, glancing his header into the bottom corner after being picked out by an Erieco Outerbridge cross.

Somerset still had the upper hand in possession and could have reclaimed the lead but Burgess was unable to convert after being played in by Micah Henschke, leaving the score even at the half-time interval.

Hood made some adjustments during the break and would have been disappointed they could not capitalise on a good spell in the early stages of the second half.

Aaron Nelson shot straight at the keeper from an angle, after dribbling his way into the box and Niyan Outerbridge forced a good save from Jade Morrissey after he was played in by a neat pass from Erieco Outerbridge.

The missed opportunities would prove costly in the 68th minute when Jaden Ratteray-Smith combined well just inside the box to beat the Hood keeper, Mathew Fullerton with a low shot to his right.

Two Somerset substitutes would then link up to put the game out of reach, when Haile Eve’s cross from the left, was finished well by Nathan Rego from 6 yards out.

Although it was not the desired result, Hood coach Dante Leverock took some positives from the match.

“I’m not one to be happy with a loss, but I can’t knock the effort from my players tonight. We probably should have done better with some clear chances in the second half, but everyone put in a good shift and I can see the progress of this young group,” said Leverock.

SCORERS

Somerset: Furbert 17, Ratteray-Smith 68, Rego 82

Robin Hood: Brangman 22

SCC (3-4-2-1): J Morrissey 6 – M Turner 5, T Ming 5, M Henschke 5 – J Ratteray-Smith 6, D Brangman 6, J Corday 5 (sub H Eve 80), M Nisbett-Tankard 5 (sub N Rego 70 5) – D Ming 5, J Furbert 6 – L Burgess 5 (sub T Tyrell 90) Subs not used: N Smith, D Swan, A Morrissey, J Butterfield Booked: T Ming

R Hood (4-2-3-1): M Fullerton 5 – T Bean 4 (sub S Burchall 84), C Robinson 5, D Leverock 6, K Knights 5 – J Bather 5, K Naylor 5 – N Outerbridge 5 (sub T Goater 5), A Nelson 5 (sub C Ricca 88), E Outerbridge 6 – C Brangman 6 Subs not used: D Lyeyu Booked: Bather, Goater

Referee: M Wyer