Robin Hood 2 X-Roads 5

A four-goal haul from Donavan Thompson steered X-Roads closer to Premier Division safety in an emphatic victory over Robin Hood last night.

In a finishing masterclass, Thompson netted a hat-trick inside the opening half-hour before completing his tally eight minutes after the interval. Jaman Lottimore also got on the scoresheet.

The victory is a massive boost to X-Roads’ hopes of avoiding the drop, taking them seven points clear of Boulevard who have three matches remaining.

“We’re not quite mathematically safe, but this is a huge step in the right direction,” said head coach Ralph Bean Jr.

“I was pleased with the way we approached the game and we always know we have a chance when Donavan is in that sort of mood.”

It took Thompson just three minutes to break the deadlock as he latched on to Kahmori Brangman’s scooped ball over the top before lashing a left-footed strike past Matthew Kenny.

His second, in the 20th minute, came in similar fashion, this time racing on to Daniel Teleman’s ball in the left side of the area and beating Kenny at his near post.

Nine minutes later, Thompson wrapped up his hat-trick, again beating the offside trap to get on the end of Chae Brangman’s through-ball before rounding the goalkeeper.

Hood gave themselves a lifeline almost immediately, as Najee Edwards slipped in Romiko Smith, who slotted the ball under the onrushing Jamin Furbert.

The visiting side restored their three-goal lead in the 37th minute when Ajai Daniels released Lottimore into the area to rifle a low strike into the far bottom corner.

Thompson completed his haul eight minutes into the second half as a flowing move down the right resulted in Lottimore picking out the striker to volley in from close range.

To their credit, Hood continued to probe forward and they were rewarded in the 63rd minute when a driving run from Kwame Naylor was halted by a foul inside the area. Enrique Russell made no mistake from the spot.

SCORERS

Robin Hood: R Smith 32, Russell 63 pen

X-Roads: Thompson 3, 20, 29, 53, Lottimore 37

TEAMS

Robin Hood (4-3-3): M Kenny 6 — K Naylor 7, L Fulton 6, B Gooden 6, D Simmons 6 — L Evans 6, W Noriega 6, E Outerbridge 6 — D Brangman 5, R Smith 6 (sub: D Smith, 61min 6), N Edwards 7. Substitutes not used: N Massa, T Figureido.

X-Roads (4-5-1): J Furbert 7 — N Smith 7, L Simmons 7, D Teleman 7, A Daniels 7 — D Woolridge 7, J Lottimore 8, K Brangman 7 (sub: A Wilson, 75), C Brangman 8, T Daniels 8 — D Thompson 9 (sub: D Simons, 65 6). Substitutes not used: W Mensah, R Beek, O Williams, J Morgan.

Referee: A Francis.