Paget Lions 0 Devonshire Cougars 1

Devonshire Cougars moved further away from the drop zone, while pushing Paget Lions deeper into the relegation mire, with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Southampton Oval yesterday.

Second-half heroics from Shaki Pearman, with a blistering strike from 35 yards, and a late penalty save by goalkeeper Kioshi Trott helped to secure a vital three points for the Cougars, with three matches of the season remaining.

“That was the most important goal of the season for us so far”, said match-winner Pearman. “We are in a relegation battle and are just trying to stay up.”

The game started at a fast pace with Cougars dominating possession. Pearman had an early chance to break the deadlock, but he could only direct his shot straight at Paget goalkeeper Ricardo Brangman.

Brangman was kept busy as he was called upon to make multiple saves against his former team. First he smothered Pearman’s low-driven effort, before denying Chae Brangman as the score remained goalless at the break.

Paget started the second half with plenty of energy. Kenneth Durrant came agonisingly close to opening the scoring but his lobbed effort drifted just wide of the upright.

The only goal of the game came against the run of play. Pearman picked up a pass just inside the Paget half before drilling his 35-yard effort beyond Brangman.

Paget were handed a golden opportunity to level in the 85th minute when substitute Akale Bean was brought down inside the box by Calin Maybury.

Bean dusted himself off to take the penalty but goalkeeper Trott guessed correctly, diving full length to his right to turn the spot kick around the post, ensuring Cougars held on for victory.

TEAMS

Paget Lions (4-1-3-2) R Brangman — N Carpenter, M Burch, R Richardson, D Frost (sub: Warren Bean, 73min) — T Welch — K Durrant (sub: Kylon Smith, 69), Chare Smith, D Hart — D Curtis (sub: Akale Bean, 65), D Stovell. Substitutes not used: D Dill, Jason Smith, A Dean.

Devonshire Cougars (4-1-3-2) K Trott — D Williams (sub: Cashun Brangman, 59), C Maybury, Zeko White, C Matthews — Damion Simmons — Zari Simmons, Chae Brangman, J Guerroro — S Pearman (sub: Zekiro White 77), A Douglas (sub: M Steede, 86). Substitutes not used: J Wade, L Tota, Nyeem Simmons, N Carmichael. Booked: C Matthews, K Trott, Zari Simmons.

Referee: A Francis.