Somerset Eagles 3 St David’s 6

Somerset Eagles and St David’s produced a nine-goal thriller during the pair’s season finale held at a rainy, windswept White Hill Field on Sunday.

The east enders turned what appeared a forlorn trek west into a celebratory mission as they stormed back from a two-goal, second-half deficit.

Key to Warriors’ victory was a brilliant hat-trick from college student Christian Lugo, currently home for spring break, who scored once in the first half and twice in the second.

Assisting Lugo in the goalscoring department were Tyron Burgess, Dakari Minors and Christian King.

The home team had started well and matched their opponents after starting the game with just ten players until Makal Robinson turned up after 15 minutes .

Eagles took the lead moments after achieving full strength as Tarik Smith initiated a sudden counter-attack that caught Warriors’ entire defence wrong-footed. His pass found an expectant Nathan Rego, who beat his man for pace and skill before cutting in from the left and shaping a curling, right-foot shot past goalkeeper Saqui Robinson.

Lugo drew his team back level with a brilliant solo effort, dancing past two defenders during a mazy run down the left before fooling Jermaine Burnley with an angled blast from in close.

Eagles re-stamped their authority with two more goals, one from Makal Robinson to end the first half and another just after the interval from Jacob Estis.

However, a half spent playing against the wind proved wearying for the home team and without the beneifit of fresh legs on the substitutes bench they began to tire.

Lugo scored his second in the 57th minute to again draw his side to within a score and 12 minutes later the scores were levelled by King, a 67th minute replacement for Kontai Burton.

Lugo scored what proved the winner in the 73rd minute and further heaped misery upon Eagles six minutes later, winning a penalty that was converted by Burgess. Minors wrapped up the scoring on the stroke of full-time to ensure a joyful passage back east.

Warriors coach Aaron Lugo was understandably pleased to have had his charges make the most of the final journey, the result allowing them to leapfrog Eagles to finish in seventh in a season in which St David’s won the First Division Shield.

“It’s the end of the season but there was three points available and the opportunity to leapfrog Eagles,” Lugo said.

“The Shield was already in the bag, so we had had a good season in that regard, but there’s always something to play for. They showed a lot of heart to come back from two goals down and win by three goals.”

As for the mesmerising three-goal display by his nephew Christian Lugo, the coach could barely mask his admiration.

“My nephew is home for his spring break and I’m glad to have him in the team,” he said. “He brings an added dimension to our game and the guys rally around him, so it’s just a good feeling all around when he’s back.

“This is a young team that was really not looking to be promoted this season, but to gel and get to know each other so that we can bring in a few more quality players.”

Eagles likewise possess a youthful crop of talent under the direction of Jomar Wilkinson.

“It was a good performance today by the team,” said Wilkinson, completing his first season as coach at the club.

“They just ran out of steam towards the end. We started out with ten men and then we made it to 11 without there being any game-changer moments, but being short and not having any fresh legs on the bench we got tired.

“Still, I’m pround of the performance they put in today and for all of this year. We’ve made gigantic steps forward, establishing our philosophy, our style of play and part of the task ahead is to become more consistent in its execution, in our maintaining possession.

“Overall it’s been a promising year. One where we’ve shown true potential, getting to the Shield semi-final.

“At Chrismas we were in promotion contention, but our plan was never a one-year plan, it’s always been a two year plan, so we’re looking to next year be able to push for promotion.

“We’re going from strength to strength. This year has been a good experience, one that has allowed for growth in our system of play.”

Scorers

Somerset Eagles: Rego 22, Robinson 41, Estis 50.

St David’s: Lugo 37, 57, 73, King 69, Burgess 79, Minors 89.

TEAMS

Somerset Eagles (4-3-3): J Burnley 5 -- C Roberts 5, M Basden 5, J Estis 6, C Madeiros 5 -- M Robinson 6, N Rego 7, B Hunt 5 -- T Smith 6, J Simons 5, E Fubler 5.

St David’s (4-3-3): S Robinson 5 -- S Ming 6 (sub: J Wales, 46min 6), D Minors 6, M Proctor 6, A Paynter 6 -- N Russell 5 (sub: Z Scott 46 6), J Jervis 6, C Lugo 8 -- T Burgess 7, K Bean 7, K Burton (sub: C King, 67 6), Keishon Bean, Tyrone Burgess. Substitute not used: C Knights. Booked: Minors, Burton.

Referee: T Simons.