Dandy Town 5 Devonshire Cougars 2

Dandy Town bounced back nicely from recent struggles with a fine win over Devonshire Cougars thanks to a hat-trick by Clay Darrell.

Cougars youngster Jahzardae Samuels was given a very early booking for pulling back Seion Darrell.

The home side created the first clear chance when Azendae Furbert shot wide from just outside the penalty area.

Against the run of play, Cougars took the lead in the twentieth minute. Zekiro White slotted home from a lovely through ball by Samuels.

Less than five minutes later, the home side were level. Jomei Bean-Lindo struck home from a tight angle after a free kick routine.

Upon equalising, the home side controlled the midfield areas while cutting out any spaces Cougars looked to exploit.

Furbert played in a decent cross which striker Darrell side-footed past Cougars stopper Kioshi Trott to put the home side ahead midway through the first half.

Cougars, despite being outplayed for large spells, remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Just after Darrell had put Town ahead, Chris Caisey fired wide from distance.

The home side doubled their lead in the 31st minute. Darrell controlled a long ball, turned and curled a lovely strike past Trott for his second of the afternoon.

Cougars continued to probe and look for openings in the final stages of the first half, but they failed to create anything of note. Town were good value for their 3-1 lead at half-time.

Knowing they would have to probably score another goal to put the game out of reach, Town dominated the opening minutes of the second half.

Kwame Steede nearly got his name on the scoresheet, but the attacker dragged his shot wide.

Darrell completed his hat-trick by slotting past Trott from just outside the penalty area six minutes into the second stanza.

Just before the hour mark, Town made their first change, wing back Jahzi Johnson was replaced by Enrique Swan, the son of striker Steede.

Cougars made a double change midway through the half, with both White brothers being replaced by Darren Williams and Shaki Pearman respectively. Both sides looked dangerous when going forward, but the home side continued to dominate possession.

Bermuda defender Eusebio Blankendal and Jahkari Furbert were whipping dangerous balls in, but their strikers failed to anticipate.

Caisey came off 20 minutes from time to be replaced by Koshun Durrant, the final roll of the dice for coach Vance Brown.

Trey Tucker had a decent chance a few minutes later, but he skied his shot over the near post of goalkeeper Treadwell Gibbons.

Substitute Pearman got his name on the scoresheet with a neat finish five minutes from time to reduce the deficit.

Jahkari Furbert rounded off the scoring with a lovely cushioned volley in the final minute of regular time to secure a deserved victory for Town.

Aaron Denkins, the Town assistant coach, knew this game was crucial, and was pleased with his side’s focus.

“This was an important win,” he said. “I was pleased with the hard work and mentality.”

Denkins insists Town must take each game as it comes, but they will push for a strong finish to the season. “We will push all the way to the end,” the 44-year-old said. “We must focus on one game at a time.”

Denkins congratulated hat-trick hero Darrell for his focus on scoring goals today.

“I am happy with Clay,” he noted. “Sometimes he misses a chance, and then gives up the rest of the game. This time he stuck to it,” he added. “Therefore, he got his just reward.”

SCORERS

Dandy Town: Darrell 28, 31, 51

Devonshire Cougars: White 20, Pearman 85

TEAMS

Dandy Town (4-2-3-1): T Gibbons — J Johnson (sub: E Swan 58min), J Chapman, J Bean-Lindo, E Blankendal — M Aden, L Emory (sub: J Furbert 67) — A Furbert, S Darrell, K Steede — C Darrell. Substitutes not used: N Smith, J Roser, T Lowe.

Devonshire Cougars (4-4-2): K Trott — J Fox, Zekiro White (sub: D Williams 62), A Samuels, J Mouchette — Z Simmons, J Samuels, C Caisey (sub: K Durrant 79), Zeko White (sub: S Pearman 62) — T Tucker, A Douglas. Substitutes not used: J Furbert-Wade, N Simmons, E Butterfield-Tankard, R Young Booked: Samuels.

Referee: M Wyer.