St David’s 0

Devonshire Cougars 2

A defensive error for the opening goal and a late strike five minutes from the end kept league champions Devonshire Cougars in the title race as home team St David’s slipped back to the bottom of the table.

St David’s held their own for much of the first half before being undone by a wayward back-pass by defender Sean Boddington that gifted Mark Steede the first goal after 28 minutes. And the home team were still battling for a point late in the match before a second strike from Steede’s replacement, Demetri Daniels, broke their resistance as a relieved Cougars bagged the points in a match they struggled to dominate.

St David’s created some good early chances, including their first after just three minutes when Angelo Cannonier met a bouncing ball inside the box and nodded his header just wide. The striker went even closer eight minutes later when he brilliantly curled a free kick around the Cougars wall and goalkeeper Kioshi Trott was equal to the task, turning the goalbound effort around a post.

At the other end, Steede put a weak effort wide after a good chance fell at his feet inside the box. The burly striker was more grateful, and surprised, when another effort fell perfectly for him near the half-hour mark. This time Boddington directed his intended back-pass to goalkeeper Corey Richardson right at the feet of Steede, who kept his composure and slotted his effort past Richardson to give the visiting side the lead.

St David’s went close again minutes later in search of the equaliser when Douglas glanced a header on to the top of the crossbar. Then a crucial double save at the other end by Richardson denied Cougars a second goal before half-time, when he made two saves from Drewonde Bascome before defender OJ Minors cleared off the line.

St David’s made their first substitution at the start of the second half in a bid to boost their attack, as Aaron Crockwell came on for Kurtis Minors. Cougars had another good chance in the 53rd minute when Moses Steede’s free kick from an angle went untouched inside the box. Cannonier, the biggest threat for St David’s, volleyed over the top after the ball dropped in his path from a half-clearance. Cougars made two quick changes, bringing on Daniels for Mark Steede in the 66th minute and Zahkie Iris for Moses Steede two minutes later. Richardson was on hand to deny the defending champions again in the 72nd minute when he made a brilliant reflex save from Bascome’s powerful shot.

Daniels put paid to the home team’s hopes of snatching a late equaliser when he took a knock-down from Bascome inside the box before hitting a low shot into the far corner from a sharp angle.

The win keeps Cougars in third place, two points behind Dandy Town, who lead on goal difference from Somerset Trojans.