BAA Wanderers 1

Devonshire Colts 1

(Colts win 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out)

Devonshire Colts snatched a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over BAA Wanderers in the First Division Shield semi-final at Bernard Park on Saturday.

Jair Minors celebrated his call-up into Bermuda’s World Cup qualifying training squad by curling a superb left-footed effort beyond Gregory Rose, the Colts goalkeeper, on the hour mark to hand BAA the lead.

Moments later Colts squandered an opportunity to draw level when captain Lozendro Symonds had a penalty saved by Nathan Trott, the BAA goalkeeper, after defender Ashton Bell had been penalised for handball.

Colts did not have to wait long for an equaliser, though, with Vernon Lambe’s supplying a neat finish on 70 minutes.

It was BAA who went the closest to finding a winner in regulation time with Troy Tucker, the former Bermuda Hogges creative midfielder, having a shot well saved by Rose, while defender Ramsey Sagger’s effort from the edge of the box was deflected narrowly wide.

BAA continued to carve out the superior scoring chances in extra time with Laquan Thomas missing a pair of one-on-one opportunities, the first which he planted against the post after racing clear of the Colts defence.

The impressive Rose the n denied Thomas with another fine reflex save before becoming his side’s penalty shoot-out hero, saving spot kicks from London Roberts and Troy Tucker.

Colts will meet Young Men’s Social Club in the Shield final at the National Sports Centre on New Year’s Day.

Jay Bean, the Colts coach, whose side are flying high at the summit of the First Division, admitted that both teams could have won had they been more ruthless in front of goal.

“We haven’t been playing well the last few games but we have still managed to grind out victories because of the talent we have in the team,” he said.

“We missed a few chances, they missed a few chances and both teams were quite wasteful. It was an evenly matched game for the most part.”

Bean said that he was expecting another tough contest against YMSC.

“We certainly won’t be underestimating Social Club as they have some very good players,” Bean added.

“Cup games can go either way and finals are even more stickier. Hopefully we can execute our plan and come away with the trophy.”

YMSC defeated Somerset Eagles in the other Shield semi-final at Wellington Oval on Boxing Day in a nine-goal thriller.

Zeiko Lewis, the son of Social Club’s coach Troy Lewis, scored twice, with Saki Tuzo, Nique Armstrong and McLee Smith also finding the net.

Tristan Smith, Kieran Evans, Kanhai Fray and Matteo Frazzoni