Dandy Town 3 Boulevard 1

A brace from Tomiko Goater helped Dandy Town Hornets to a convincing victory over Boulevard in the Dudley Eve Trophy at Bernard Park today.

Boulevard, having lost to PHC Zebras 3-1 in their opening group A game, are now eliminated from the competition.

Ian Coke threatened for Boulevard early on after wriggling his way into the box and firing a shot that Ajai Daniels, the Town goalkeeper, palmed onto the post and out of danger.

Hornets were soon the dominant force and opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when defender Seion Darrell’s direct free kick somehow floated over the outstretched arms of Daniel Adams, the Boulevard goalkeeper.

The lively Coke then lifted a shot over the bar after a lapse of concentration in the Hornets defence presented with him a clear view of goal.

Midfielder Goater, one of Town’s most potent attacking outlets en route to winning the Premier Division title last season, then doubled his side’s lead after a neat pullback from winger Caldre Burgess on 40 minutes.

Boulevard were struggling to contain Town’s free-flowing attacking forays with Goater, Burgess and Angelo Simmons causing plenty of headaches.

Hornets struck a third on the stroke of half-time when the trio combined, with Burgess overhitting a cross which Simmons turned back into the danger zone for Goater to tap home.

After the break Town understandably took their foot off the gas which enabled Boulevard to reduce the deficit when substitute Taiquan Davis finished neatly past Daniels in the 69th minute.

Coke almost made things interesting when he forced a fine save from Daniels late on with a strike from distance.

Jomar Wilkinson, the Hornets coach, said he was encouraged by his side’s display in their first match since beat Robin Hood 2-1 in last weekend’s Charity Cup.

“We needed to come out today and make sure we got the victory to put us through to the next round,” he said.

“I’m satisfied with our performance as the heat was always going to be a factor although it was the same for both teams.

“We’re building and it’s a process, and we understand that. We’re going to stay humble and keep working on our game.”

Town take on PHC in the final group A game at Police Field next weekend.

TEAMS

Dandy Town (4-3-3): A Daniels — K Lathan, K Tucker, K Davis, S Darrell — T Goater, J Richardson-Martin (sub: R Wells, 66min), J Swan — A Simmons, D Butterfield, C Burgess (sub: C Amory, 66). Substitutes not used: D Bascome, D Ming, K Wade, C Davis. Booked: L Butterfield, Goater.

Boulevard (4-4-2): D Adams — J Samuels, A Smith (sub: J Bailey, 63), K Smith, M Tankard — T Walker, D Taylor, J Williams, E Trott — S Richardson (sub: A Famous, 63), I Coke. Substitutes not used: Z Stovell, I Mallory, T Butterfield, S Fostin.

Referee: E Holmes.