Devonshire Colts, picked up a huge three points on the road as they travelled to the West end to take on Somerset Trojans.

Colts were able to get their noses in front midway through the first half courtesy of Brandon O’Connor, and were happy to protect their slim margin, against a Somerset outfit that were disjointed in their attack for much of the match.

Coach Ray Jones was pleased with the result and the manner in which his team approached the game.

“Our main focus today was to stop them from playing first” he said. “Both teams came into the match in similar positions trying to re-establish a rhythm having had several games postponed and I felt that the result for us, was going to be more about grit and hard work than attacking football.

“Having taken the lead, we made a few adjustments at the half to strengthen our defensive structure and the players did well to stick to their tasks and see the match out.”

Somerset started on the front foot and would be disappointed not to have capitalised on a couple of early opportunities. Nathan Rego was on the end of a through ball five minutes in, but his dangerous cross was cleared at the near post. The resulting corner found Trevin Ming at the back post, who’s header was saved by keeper, Jahniko Francis, but Jaden Ratteray-Smith should have done better with the rebound attempt that he put over the bar from 6 yards.

Ten minutes later, Francis was at it again, diving to his left to deny a Tevahn Tyrell header destined for the bottom corner.

Having weathered the early pressure, Colts began to see more of the ball and eventually found the breakthrough on the half-hour mark.

A brilliant ball into the box from Zuri Burgess landed right at the feet of Brandon O'Connor, who’s fortuitous first touch beat the stranded keeper and rolled into the bottom corner.

Colts had a chance to extend their lead immediately following the interval, but Treshun Smith could not beat the keeper with his shot from a tight angle after being played in behind.

At the other end, Rego came close with his toe poke that went just wide of the post.

Somerset began to make changes around the hour mark and fresh legs injected some energy into the match, but they struggled to build anything cohesive in the final third.

Colts’ defending became a little erratic in the dying stages of the match, as they started to give up free kicks in dangerous arrears, but Somerset were ineffective even in dead ball situations

They would have one last effort just before the final whistle when Justin Corday got on the end of a cross from the right, but his looping header from the edge of the box dipped just over the cross bar.

SCORERS

Devonshire Colts: O’Connor, 30

TEAMS

Somerset Trojans (3-4-2-1): J Morrisey 6 ― M Henchke 6, Jaz Ratteray-Smith 5, T Ming 4, ― K Sharrief-Hayward 5 (substitute J Furbert 58 5) M Nisbeet-Tankard 5, J Corday 5, D Brangman 5 ― N Rego 5 (sub R Burrows 70 5), Jaden Ratteray-Smith (sub D Ming 70 5) ― T Tyrell (sub N Smith 58 5) Substitutes not used: T Harris, C Durham, D Swan Booked: Tyrell, Jaden Ratteray-Smith

Devonshire Colts (3-2-4-1): J Francis 7 ― M Williams 6, K Cann 5, C Minors 5 ― Z Burgess 7, K Bailey 5 ― J Paynter 5 (sub J Saunders 70 5), B O’Connor 6, S Swan 5 (sub S Thomas 80), T Smith 5 ― B Robinson 5 (sub A Hart 80). Substitutes not used: D Dillas, D Lambe, E Weldon Booked: Smith

Referee: D Jackson