Southampton Rangers 0 Robin Hood 3

Robin Hood stay top of the Premier Division table after victory over Southampton Rangers at Southampton Oval on Sunday.

Lejaun Simmons, the Hood captain, led from the front with a second-half brace to add to a lone strike from Tomiko Goater, much to the delight of coach John Barry Nusum.

“As the skipper, he knows that much of the attacking responsibility lies on his shoulders and I thought his first goal was well taken and really helped settle us at a timely period of the match,” Nusum said.

“I am also very pleased with the execution of the game plan, even though it was a slight adjustment to the style that we are used to.

“We knew that with a small pitch we would have to be a bit more direct and physical in our approach, and I think the team did well to show good patience until the later stages when the game eventually opened up.”

Hood started the contest on the front foot and had the better opportunities in the opening stanza.

Che Brangman was twice on the end of neat through balls from the midfield, but could not keep his efforts underneath the bar. Jaylon Bather then came close with a header from a corner that hit the side netting.

After weathering the early pressure, the home team began to play themselves into the match with forward, Shane Hollis getting the first good looks at goal. His volley from the edge of the box did little to bother goalkeeper Dale Eve, but moments later he was on the end of a brilliant cross from Cardel Henry forcing a reflex save from the Hood goalkeeper.

At the other end, Hood missed another good chance when Liam Evans blazed over the bar from a good position after receiving a square pass from Simmons.

After the interval, Hood continued to have the upper hand, and would eventually take the lead midway through the half, when a partially deflected shot from Simmons dipped into the far post from the edge of the box.

By now, the home team was looking a little wary and Hood were only looking stronger going forward after making some tactical substitutes. It was no surprise in the 77th minute, when Simmons finished hard and low from an angled shot after receiving a pass from Goater just inside the box.

The visiting side were not done yet, as Justin Corday came close with his half volley from the edge of the box that forced a diving save from goalkeeper Jason Smith.

The nail in the coffin would eventually come, five minutes from time when Goater who beat the offside trap walked in on Smith unchallenged and placed his effort just inside the near post to secure all three points.

SCORERS

Robin Hood: Simmons 65, 77, Goater 88

TEAMS

Southampton Rangers (4-3-3): J Smith — D Frost, M Burch, R Sampson, K Harrison — M Nisbett-Tankard, Q Maynard, J Bassett — J Bean (sub: K Wilson 64min), C Henry (sub: T Wilkinson, 71), S Hollis. Substitutes not used: J Hill, N Mello, R Wright, N Smith. Booked: Sampson.

Robin Hood (4-3-3): D Eve — S Smith, J Bather, D Williams, J Pereira — L Evans (sub: P Parsons, 64), C Ryan (sub: A Russell 66), J Corday, T Goater — C Brangman, L Simmons (sub: E Outerbridge, 79). Substitutes not used: A Bell, A Nelson, L Steede. Booked: Williams, Corday.

Referee: L Christopher.