Somerset Trojans 1 Somerset Eagles 0

Somerset Trojans withstood some major pressure in the second half for a 1-0 derby win over rivals Somerset Eagles yesterday at Somerset Cricket Club.

Both sides showed intent from the opening whistle, with Eagles captain Anwar Telford smashing high after a decent sweeping move less than three minutes in.

Moments later, the home side took their first real grip of the game. Jaz Ratteray-Smith was taken down by Shentoine Lambert in the penalty area. The attacking midfielder stepped up and confidently slotted the spot-kick home. Minutes later, Nacori Smith delivered a dangerous whipped cross into the six-yard area, but none of his team-mates were able to connect. The visitors were far too sloppy in possession, especially in the opening exchanges. Trojans nearly capitalised to good effect midway through the first half, but Damon Swan lashed his free kick high and wide.

Smith was at it again soon after, this time Micah Henschke getting into a dangerous position on the overlap, before cutting back for Smith. The winger totally misjudged his strike, and Eagles could breathe again.

Just before half-time, Henschke was back at it. Once again, Smith scuffed his effort, but Eagles goalkeeper Lorenzo Lambert still had to make a reflex save with his legs. The home side didn’t create any real openings in the final few minutes of that first half, but still held the lead at the break.

Eagles made an immediate change to stem the flow of the game, Nathan Rego coming on for Dupray Joell at the restart. That change nearly paid immediate dividends, Rego linking up the play well before captain Anwar Telford hammered his half-volley wide. Ratteray-Smith created space with some neat feet, but he struck his shot straight at Lambert. Both sides made additional alterations, with Marcus Simmons replacing Koshun Durrant for the visitors; Jonathan Bean replaced Jaz Ratteray-Smith for Trojans.

With about 20 minutes to go, Bean laid off to Jeze Butterfield to kill off the game, but the young winger dragged his effort wide under pressure from a few Eagles defenders. Young wing-back Khiari Sharrieff-Hayward nearly made the killer assist, but Smith was wasteful once again, this time lashing his shot high. The home side had one or two half-chances to kill the game, but they held out despite some incessant Eagles pressure in that second period.

Trojans captain Trevin Ming was pleased with the performance and result. “We remained disciplined,” Ming said. “It was a derby match and we fought our hearts out.”

The Bermuda defender was impressed with the defensive solidity. “We defended well,” he added. “They put us under a lot of pressure.”

SCORERS

Somerset Trojans: Jaz Ratteray-Smith 5 pen

TEAMS

Somerset Trojans (4-1-4-1): D Crockwell — M Henschke, T Ming, S Brangman, K Sharrieff-Hayward — D Swan — N Smith (sub: K Jennings, 81min), Jaz Ratteray-Smith (sub: J Bean, 62), L Burgess, J Butterfield — T Tyrell (sub: Jaiden Ratteray-Smith, 81). Substitutes not used: K Harvey, C Durham, S Tatem, R Seaman.

Somerset Eagles (4-2-3-1): L Lambert — K Abraham, D Woolridge, S Lambert, A Morrissey — T Wilson, D Joell (sub: N Rego, 46) — S Greenidge-Saltus, A Telford, K Durrant (sub: M Iris-Simmons, 62) — T Wade (sub: A Butterfield, 84). Substitutes not used: E Fubler, R Saggar, D Simmons.

Referee: L Christopher.