Robin Hood 5

Butterfield & Vallis 2

Robin Hood survived a “banana skin” tie after thrashing Butterfield & Vallis United in the first round of the FA Cup at Goose Gosling Field on Saturday night.

Hood, who are second in the Premier Division, made a bright start to game, taking the lead through Lejuan Simmons who finished at the back post in the second minute.

Shannon Burchall doubled his side’s lead with an effort from the edge of the box after 15 minutes as Butterfield and Vallis struggled to get to grips against their superior opposition.

But, with a team including former Bermuda players Keith Jennings, Lashun Dill and Tokia Russell, Butterfield and Vallis were still showing signs of attacking intent.

They pulled a goal back after they were awarded a penalty in the 32nd minute for handball, with Dennis Russell scoring from a rebound after his spot kick was saved by Jason Simmons, the Hood goalkeeper.

Butterfield and Vallis were awarded a hugely controversial second penalty by referee Antoine Augustus in the 48th minute after aerial challenge between Chris Fosker and Dill, when it appeared the Hood defender had won the ball fairly.

Russell missed his second penalty, Simmons saving again, and had no such luck with the rebound with Hood’s defence reacting quickly to clear the danger.

The lively Donte Brangman gave Hood a two-goal cushion, superbly lobbing Ryan Evans, the Butterfield & Vallis goalkeeper, on 61 minutes, before substitute Ereiko Outerbridge added a fourth with a bullet header from Brangman’s cross on 78 minutes.

Credit to the visiting side, who responded immediately with David Hunt finishing from the edge of the box, although Hood had the final say through Antwan Russell who crashed home a powerful left-footed shot in the last minute.

Kyle Lightbourne, the Hood coach, admitted his side had made hard work for themselves against Butterfield & Vallis, the only Corona League side to enter the competition.

“We knew this game was going to be a bit of a banana skin and it was a case of just getting the job done,” he said.

“We made hard work of it at times but I thought they were fortunate to be awarded two penalties.

“They still have some good players although I think our extra fitness told in the end.

“It’s good to get the win but we made it more difficult than it should have been.”

• Flanagan’s Onions of the First Division came close to pulling off an upset in the first round after drawing 1-1 with Southampton Rangers at Southampton Oval.

Onions, who reached the final last season before losing to Dandy Town, opened the scoring in the first minute of the second half through Michael Lyndsey-Bayley before substitute Akale Bean equalised for Rangers in the 57th minute.