X-Roads 3 Dandy Town Hornets 2

There will be a different name on the FA Cup this season as reigning champions Dandy Town were defeated in the first round by X-Roads Warriors in an entertaining match at St. David’s on Sunday.

As ever, prolific striker Donovan Thompson led the way for X-Roads scoring twice, including a late winner, to fire his team into the next round.

The match started as an even contest with both teams taking time to feel the other out and Amir Wilson had the first chance for X-Roads, but his low drive went wide of Town goalkeeper Daniel Johnson’s left upright.

Town threatened within minutes when Chemarl Henry ran on to a threaded pass forcing X-Roads goalkeeper Jamin Furbert to make a fine save with his feet at the near post to deny the effort.

Tymon Daniels was a pillar of strength at the heart of X-Roads’ defence with his reading of the game instrumental in disrupting many of Town’s promising early attacks and it was one of his timely interceptions that led to the opening goal.

After winning possession, Daniels played the ball forward to Wilson, whose initial shot was blocked by Johnson only for Thompson to be first to the loose ball to sidefoot into the net.

X-Roads doubled their lead just four minutes later when Wilson met Rico Beek’s free-kick to hit a running volley into the bottom-right corner beyond the outstretched arms of a diving Johnson.

Town stayed in the game and pulled one back two minutes later when Henry was bundled over inside the box to give referee Dwight Jackson one of the easiest calls to make on the day in awarding a penalty.

Tomiko Goater struck his shot hard and low to the right giving Furbert no chance and leaving the game finely poised going into the break.

Town started the second half with more urgency and almost equalised when a defensive mix-up put Henry through, but his poor touch allowed Furbert to collect but minutes.

Minutes later, Town were gifted their second when another howler at the back between goalkeeper Furbert and Daniels gave Goater an easy tap-in into an empty net.

Both teams picked up the tempo in search of a winner but it was Thompson who produced some late magic. After receiving a chipped pass from substitute Jaman Lottimore, Thompson dribbled across the top of the box to find an opening before hitting a hard, low drive which beat Johnson for pace.

Town thought they had levelled the match when substitute Azendae Furbert had the ball in the back of the net within seconds of coming on, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside, and with time running out Town started to knock everything forward in search of a late equaliser but Daniels and his defence held firm.

“It was a good victory in the end. I thought we fought hard and stuck to the task,” said X-Roads coach Ralph Bean Jr.

“We had a game plan which we had to adjust at half time. I think the team did well to stay focused and be organised. All and all, it was a good victory and we have the momentum moving in the right direction.”

Scorers:

X-Road Warriors: D Thomson 31, 82 A Wilson 35

Dandy Town Hornets: T Goater 37, 67

TEAMS

X-Road Warriors (4-1-4-1): J Furbert 7 --- D Simons 6 (sub: T Perinchief, 79min), L Simmons 6, T Daniels 8, O Williams 6 (sub: J Lottimore, 22 6) --- D Woolridge 6 --- Z McCarter 5 (sub: K Brangman, 59, 5), D Thompson 8, A Daniels 7, R Beek 6 --- A Wilson 7. Substitutes not used: J Morgan, E Mensah. Booked: D Simons.

Dandy Town Hornets: (4-1-4-1) D Johnson 6 --- M Parsons 6, T Manders 6, S Darrell 6, J Chapman 6 ---J Bean-Lindo 6 (sub: A Simmons 68, 6) -- D Scraders 6, N Spence 5, T Goater 8, C Henry 6 (sub: A Furbert 79)--- C Robinson 6. Substitutes not used: T Webb, J Wilson-Butterfield, E Moore. R Whitter. Booked: J Bean-Lindo.

Referee: D Jackson