Robin Hood 3 Somerset Trojans 0

Robin Hood are in the driving seat for a first Premier Division title after ending Somerset Trojans’ undefeated home record in a match marred by a late double sending off.

Hood were cruising to a three-nil win after a brace from Antwan Russell and a goal by Lejuan Simmons when the game descended into chaos after substitute Neil Figureido appeared to spit in the direction of Shaquille Bean, the Trojans goalkeeper, with about five minutes remaining.

Both players were dismissed by referee Garic Swainson who called a premature finish to Saturday night’s match after the incident sparked unsavoury scenes involving players from both teams.

Bean, who was dismissed for his push on Figureido in the aftermath, could now face a much longer suspension after hurling a bottle of water at the referee as he was dragged away by members of the Trojans coaching staff.

Russell, playing on the left of a three-pronged attack, struck the opener in the 21st minute with a neat finish moments before Trojans had a penalty appeal turned down for a challenge on forward Tahj Wade. Trojans were awarded a spot kick on the half-hour mark after Wade was hauled down by Hood defender Daniel Andrade.

Malachi Jones, the Trojans forward, was unable to equalise from the spot, however, with his effort being saved by Jason Simmons, the Hood goalkeeper,

Hood made Trojans pay for that miss, with Simmons doubling the visiting side’s lead with a strike from the edge of the box in the 43rd minute.

The league leaders had dominated the midfield in the first half and drew blood for the third time soon after the break when Russell scored his second after rounding the goalkeeper and tapping home.

Hood controlled the second half as Trojans failed to create any noteworthy scoring chances, while Simmons went close for Hood after running through on goal before having his effort smothered by Bean.

Matters then took a turn for the worse when Figureido, who came on in the 78th minute, was sent off for spitting at Bean.

The Trojans goalkeeper reacted by shoving the Hood winger, with several players from both sides becoming embroiled in a mass brawl, with Jonathan Bean, the Trojans substitute, leaving the pitch to challenge Russell who was already on the sidelines having been substituted.

Kacey Butterfield, taking charge of Hood in the absence of Kyle Lightbourne, believed Swainson made the correct call by sending both players off.

“It was sad it finished in that manner,” Butterfield said. “The referee called it how he saw it. I saw the incident and it appeared Neil did spit in the direction of the goalkeeper.”

Butterfield added: “To come to Somerset and win is hard. Our guys were up to the task and I thought they were better organised than Trojans tonight. It was a well-deserved victory.

“The pressure is not on us and our thing is just to win games and play structured football from now until the end of the season.

“Our focus is on winning the league but we want to do it by playing good football.”

TEAMS

Robin Hood (4-3-3): J Simmons — D Andrade, C Fosker, D Cox, E Outerbridge — N Peskett (sub: M Thomas, 80min), D Brangman, C Ryan, L Simmons, A Russell (sub: S Smith, 61), S Burchall (sub: N Figureido, 78). Substitutes not used: J Titterton, J Pereira, C Caisey, M Johnson. Sent off: Figureido.

Somerset Trojans (4-4-2): S Bean — J Ratteray-Smith, D Swan (sub: A Seaman, 75), R Cann, C Durham — J Corday, S Brangman, Z Iris, R Simmons (sub: A Trott, 83) — M Jones, T Wade (sub: D Woods, 78). Substitutes not used: J Bean, D Lister. Sent off: Bean.