Som. Eagles 0 Dandy Town 1

Dandy Town collected all three points at White Hill Field yesterday, avenging their 3-0 defeat at the hands of Eagles in the Martonmere Cup three weeks ago.

However, even their most diehard supporter would be hard pressed to deny that they were t fortunate to emerge victorious, following an inexplicable moment of madness from goalkeeper Jason Smith in the dying seconds of the match.

Collecting the ball under pressure on the edge of his six-yard box, the Town `keeper became incensed at the robust challenge of the oncoming Eagles forward, Stevie Dread. Despite having the ball safely in his hands and with the referee putting the whistle to his mouth to signal the end of the game, he kicked out petulantly at Dread and the referee had no choice but to award a penalty.

Fortunately for Smith, and to the obvious relief of Dandy Town's players and management, Eagles' Musceo Hunt ballooned his spot-kick over the bar and the game was over.

Despite the late scare, in truth the scoreline did not do justice to Town's dominance. From the kick-off they controlled the midfield and looked far sharper, hungrier and more competitive than their lacklustre opponents, whose passing and movement appeared predictable and devoid of imagination.

The only goal of the game came in the 66th minute from the penalty spot, converted by Carlos Smith after Khuno Smith had been brought down in the box.

Town skipper Lionel Furbert was the driving force of his side's ambitions, sitting in front of the back four, making countless tackles, spreading the ball wide or releasing his pacy forwards into space with penetrative passes inbetween a noticeably static Eagles back-line.

Khuno Smith, Town's lanky front-man, had an outstanding game and despite missing a number of clear-cut chances, was a constant menace with his speed and dribbling ability.

Town also had the ball in the back of the net in the 52nd minute after a shot from Kuno Smith had rebounded off the post and was bundled home by Seyoum Tuzo. But the referee ruled that Tuzo had used his hand and the goal was disallowed.

While Eagles continued to huff and puff without creating any significant chances, Towns' young Jarrett Peniston placed a header just wide following an inch-perfect cross from the irrepressible Khuno Smith and then a minute later missed an open goal from ten yards out after the ball had squirted conveniently into his path following a frantic goalmouth melee.

Somerset Eagles: A.Burrows, K.Simons, D.Burgess, J.Tucker, (D.Pickering 36 mins), M.Hunt, R.Hill, D.Binns, J.Butterfield, (J.Raynor 62 mins), D.Dowling, L.Crofton, S.Dread.

Dandy Town: J.Smith, J.Simons, R.Swan, D.Lawler, M.Lowe, J.Peniston, (S.Wilson 84 mins), L.Furbert, K.Butterfield, (L.Dill 71 mins), T.Seyoum, C.Smith, K.Smith (K.Butterfield 84 mins)

Booked: D.Dowling, D.Pickering (Somerset Eagles); M.Lowe, J.Peniston, T.Seyoum (Dandy Town)

Men of the Match:Musceo Hunt (Somerset Eagles); Khuno Smith (Dandy Town).