X-Roads 3 Devonshire Cougars 4

Elisha Darrell struck twice and had an assist as holders Devonshire Cougars edged X-Roads in a high-scoring Friendship Trophy preliminary round at Devonshire Recreation Club last night.

The prolific forward scored either side of the interval, including what proved the game winner in the 52nd minute. Domico Coddington was also on target for the hosts while X-Roads right back Nahjee Smith scored an own goal.

The visitors replied through two goals from Kahmori Brangman and another from Chae Brangman.

Kwame Steede, the Cougars coach, was happy to see his team advance to the next round despite having not been at their best.

“It was not up to our standard but it’s a cup game and X-Roads came to play,” Steede said. “That’s what happens in cup games; teams step to another level. We did not expect the goals to be how they went in, but that’s how it went.”

X-Roads coach Ralph Bean Jr was encouraged by the work ethic and character demonstrated by his players.

“We worked hard and showed a little bit more heart and character, and we’re starting to show a little bit more belief,” he said.

“As a team I think we are going in the right direction and tonight was just another step on that path.”

Cougars drew first blood after Smith sliced Darrell's goalbound effort into his own net but the hosts lead was short-lived as Kahmori Brangman equalised a minute later after his shot from inside the box deflected off Cougars captain Zeko White.

Darrell restored Cougars lead after volleying Coddington's cross past X-Roads goalkeeper Jamin Furbert but Brangman grabbed his second from a Donavan Thompson rebound during a goalmouth scramble to again bring the teams level.

Coddington lashed in Darrell’s cross in the middle to earn Cougars a 3-2 advantage at the half.

Darrell then added a second early in the second period before Chae Brangman pulled one back for the visitors to set up an intriguing finish.

SCORERS

X-Roads: K Brangman 15, 32, C Brangman 65

Devonshire Cougars: N Smith 14 (OG), Darrell 27, 52, Coddington 42

TEAMS

Devonshire Cougars (4-3-3): J Eve 7 – J Thomas 7, Z White 7, N Furbert 7, Che-Kai Caisey 7 – C Caisey 7 (sub: J Wade, 36min 7), D Daniels 7, J Brimmer 7 (sub: N Simmons, 76) – E Darrell 7 (sub: J Fox, 89), L Simmons 7, D Coddington 7. Substitutes not used: C Albouy, J Furbert-Wade, Z Simmons. Booked: N Simmons.

X Roads (4-1-4-1): J Furbert 7 – O Williams 7, D Teleman 7, T Daniels 7, N Smith 7 – A Daniels 7 – K Brangman 7, C Brangman 7, R Beek 7 (sub: D Woolridge, 70 7), D Thompson 7 – A Wilson 7 (sub: L Simmons, 61 7). Substitutes not used: T Perinchief, J Morgan.

Referee: K Williams (Trinidad).