Robin Hood 2

Hamilton Parish 1

Robin Hood survived a late scare to secure their top-flight status with an impressive win over Hamilton Parish in the Premier Division at Goose Gosling Field on Saturday night.

Hood, who leapfrogged Parish into fourth place in the table, looked to be cruising to a comfortable victory when a controversial refereeing decision by Leroy Wilson handed Parish a lifeline.

Jason Simons, the Hood goalkeeper, was moving the ball into position when his side were awarded a free kick after Donovan Thompson, the Parish striker, had been caught offside but before he reached his destination Shakeem Albouy, the Parish substitute, nipped in to tap into an empty net.

The goal stood despite the animated protests by the Hood players and coaching staff and had Casey Castle, the Parish winger, not missed a good opportunity late on then Kyle Lightbourne’s side could have been forgiven for feeling very aggrieved.

“It was a nervous finish, we had a two-goal lead and for the referee to give a goal like that, well, I don’t know what was going on,” Lightbourne said.

“We got a free kick for an offside and their guy just comes in and takes the ball and scores. They had a chance to equalise and our keeper came up big for us. That’s us safe now.”

Hood created a hatful of chances during a dominant first-half display with Antwan Russell, the Bermuda striker, twice forcing smart saves from Nigel Burgess, the Parish goalkeeper.

Russell’s strike partner Tevahn Tyrell should have done better with a free header from an inviting cross from Michael Armstrong but his effort easily cleared Burgess’s crossbar.

Other than a shot from distance from Shayne Hollis, Parish created very little during the first half and could have no complaints when they fell behind just before half-time when Lejuan Simmons, the Hood winger, converted from a tight angle.

In fairness to Parish, they improved greatly after the interval, with a rasping Hollis strike forcing Simons to push the ball over the bar while Calin Maybury, the neat-and-tidy midfielder, fired over after a mazy dribble.

Hood doubled their advantage when Russell turned provider with a squared pass for Tyrell to side-foot past Burgess on 75 minutes before Wilson’s head-scratching refereeing decision gave Parish hope of snatching a point 12 minutes later.

Moments after Albouy’s fortuitous strike, Castle found himself in a one-on-one with Simons but the Hood goalkeeper did superbly well to block the effort with his outstretched body.

Lightbourne believed that his side were well worth their win and reflected on a pleasing first season back in the Premier Division.

“It’s been a successful season for us,” said Lightbourne, who side were awarded the Friendship Trophy after Dandy Town had fielded an unlisted player in the final in January.

“The cup run killed us a little bit because it took the legs out of a few of the players and we got dragged into a relegation fight.

“We came good in the end, though, and have finished the season strongly.

“We have shown we are capable of battling for victories this season. The main thing was to stay in the division and now we can look to build on it for next season.”

Hood take on relegation-threatened St George’s at Wellington Oval in their final game of the season on Sunday, April 5.