Robin Hood 1 Somerset Trojans 1

Kyle Lightbourne, the Robin Hood coach, believed his side were well worth a point as they marked their return to the Premier Division with a draw against Somerset Trojans at Goose Gosling Field on Saturday.

Antwan Russell earned Hood a share of the spoils when he equalised from a penalty in the 84th minute to cancel out Kirt Brown’s 68th minute goal for Trojans.

“I didn’t think we deserved to win but we didn’t deserve to lose either — I think a draw was a fair result,” Lightbourne said.

“We were at home but overall I’m happy with the result; we had to dig deep and it was a battle at times.

“Trojans weren’t the ideal team to play first up because they’ve already played a few games in the Dudley Eve, but I thought we defended well and I know we will get better.”

Due to a shortage of match officials — a worrying sign for the Bermuda Football Association — Joel Duffy, the Hood substitute, had to act as one of the referee’s assistants.

Neither team created much in the way of clear-cut scoring chances in the first half, although Leo Burgess, the Trojans winger, almost broke the deadlock late in the first half, blazing over the bar from a right-wing cross.

At the other end, Jake Fox, a summer signing from Flanagan’s Onions, was picked out in the area by Russell, but the winger’s tame header never threatened to beat Shaquille Bean, the Trojans goalkeeper.

Midway through the second half Trojans began to dominate proceedings and almost got their just rewards when a Brown strike from the edge of the box took a wicked defection, forcing Jason Simons, the Hood goalkeeper, into a fine reflex save.

The busy Brown had the ball into the back of the net moments later but the 19-year-old striker was adjudged to have been offside.

Tahj Wade, the Trojans forward, then almost wriggled his way through on goal but was stopped in his tracks when poised to pull the trigger by Hood defender Corey Boyce, who made a superb sliding tackle.

Trojans’ pressure eventually paid off with Brown hooking a shot past Simons after Boyce had struggled to clear a bouncing ball.

Lightbourne responded by swiftly making some changes, bringing on midfielder trio Marcelos Thomas, Michael Armstrong and Larri Simons.

And it was from a raking Thomas pass that Russell won his side a penalty after being pulled down by goalkeeper Bean.

Russell, who spent last season at English non-League side Ilkeston, stepped up to convert from the spot and ensure Hood that something to show for their battling performance.