Devonshire Colts 0

Hamilton Parish 1

Joseph Butterfield’s own goal handed Hamilton Parish victory in the FA Cup first-round match against Devonshire Colts at Police Field yesterday.

The defender sliced Chris Caisey’s corner into his own net to settle the tie which seemed destined to end in stalemate as both teams lacked cutting edge in the attacking third.

The defeat may have spared Colts the humiliation of forfeiting the match for fielding an ineligible player after Ryan Purnell came on for the injured Eli Smith, who pulled a hamstring just before half-time.

However, Purnell had not been listed as a substitute on the official team sheet that Colts had submitted to the match commissioner an hour before kick off.

After discovering the breach, Purnell was ordered to leave the pitch and Terry Foote came on instead as a replacement for Smith.

Parish were the better team and, as such, were deserving of a victory that is certain to help restore confidence and help in their bid to avoid relegation.

“We got the result we were looking for, but our main goal is survival,” Ernest Lathan, the Parish assistant coach, said.

“I don’t think the scoreline reflected the match, but that’s how the game goes sometimes.”

Parish nearly drew first blood when midfielder Zion Smith-Tucker forced Gregory Rose, the Colts goalkeeper, to make a save.

Nigel Burgess, the Parish goalkeeper, then had to save from a header by Vernell Lambe before Kyle Jones had an effort dragged wide.

The visiting side eventually took control and were unfortunate not have taken the lead just before the interval.

Michael Albouy, the Parish winger, had an effort tipped onto the post by Rose while midfielder Macquille Walker rolled a shot wide.

Controversy flared in the 41st minute when Purnell came on for the injured Smith and was then asked to leave the pitch, forcing the home side to play out the remainder of the half a man short.

Parish failed to cash in on their numerical advantage and the teams went into the break deadlocked.

Chances were few and far between in the second half, which Parish dominated but still could not find a way through until Butterfield’s own goal in the 62nd minute.

Colts piled on the pressure late on with Burgess having to save McQuinn Burch’s long-range effort and Zuri Darrell shooting inches wide.