Dandy Town Hornets 3

D Leverock 50, D Jones 63, N Spence 75

Devonshire Cougars 0

Holders Dandy Town gave themselves a chance for a repeat with a 3-0 win over Devonshire Cougars in their Friendship Trophy semi-final match played before a moderate crowd at Somerset Cricket Club on Boxing Day.

Three unanswered second-half goals sealed their place in the final, where they will play the winners of North Village Rams and Devonshire Colts on New Year’s Day.

Despite the win, Hornets coach Jarreau Hayward was not totally happy with the performance.

“It was not a comfortable win today despite the scoreline,” said Hayward. “We were unable to train this week due to the weather so we still have some work to do. I thought we started slow but picked up our game as the match went on.”

The coach added: “The finals is not going to be easy so I am looking forward to our next training session to iron out a few things. Either way, we will be ready to defend this trophy.”

Cougars started the match the brighter as Domico Coddington tried a long range shot from the opening whistle, which Town goalkeeper Jahquil Hill was able to glove at head height.

Minutes later, Hill was first to a low Coddington cross, just beating the outstretched boot of the rushing Kydan Browne.

Town, with overseas students, Lazai Outerbridge and Hayden Dill in their line-up, started to settle with some orchestrated passing through their midfield.

Both youngsters were instrumental in many of Town’s promising attacks but Cougars defended in numbers to nullify the threats.

Hornets went close when Dill darted down the right wing, cut inside and crossed to Kamali Davis, who headed inches wide of the upright.

Moments later, Quadir Maynard slipped David Jones through and he beat the onrushing Cougars goalkeeper Q’Shai Darrell with a toe-poke only for defender Matteo Turner to recover and clear the ball to safety before Jones could steer the ball home.

At the other end, Charmari Burns got off a left footed drive, which Hill stretched full length to push over the crossbar as the match was evenly poised at the break.

Town picked up the tempo from the start of the second half and took the lead when Dante Leverock rose uncontested at the back post and headed home Dill’s corner.

A defensive mix-up led to Town doubling their lead. Goalkeeper Darrell and centre-back Matteo Turner converged on a pass and the custodian’s attempted clearance hit the defender in the chest and rolled into the path of Jones, who slotted into an empty net.

Cougars tried to stay in the match and continued to attack. Substitute Jayori Fox played a measured pass into the path of Kydan Browne but he steered his shot wide from a good position.

Goalscorer Jones then turned provider with a cheeky backheel that wrong-footed defender Jecoa Thomas and allowed substitute Nizigh Spence to follow up, sidestep the keeper and make it 3-0.

Seconds later, Fox found Coddington with a neat pass but Hill was well positioned to cradle his shot.

Cougars had the chance to bring some respectability to the scoreline when Edry Moore conceded a penalty deep into added time but Hill dived to his right to save Christian Albuoy’s spot-kick.

Teams

Dandy Town Hornets (4-2-3-1): J Hill 6 — T Webb 5, E Moore 5, D Leverock 6, L Simmons 5 — Q Maynard 5 (sub: R Robinson 80), L Outerbridge 7 (sub: J Furbert 67 5) — H Dill 7, E Swan 6 (sub: N Spence 67 6), K Davis 6 (sub: T Goater 80) — D Jones 7 (sub: A Simmons 80) Substitutes not used: J Manders. Booked: Dill, Webb, Spence, Goater, Maynard.

Devonshire Cougars (4-2-3-1): Q Darrell 6 — T Tucker 5, M Turner 6, L Millett 6 (sub: M Thomas 69 5), J Thomas 5 — Zari Simmons 5, Dari Coddington 5 (sub: C Albuoy 85) — C Burns 6 (sub: Zion Simmons 85), K Browne 6, S Valasse-Paul 6 (sub: J Fox 69 6) — Domico Coddington 6. Substitutes not used: J Darrell. Booked: Thomas, Fox, Simmons.

Referee: M Wyer