Somerset Trojans 1 North Village 0

Tevahn Tyrell stepped up to the plate to lead Somerset Trojans to a crucial win over North Village Rams, whose grip on the Premier Division title as champions is becoming as slippery as the conditions at rain-sodden Somerset Cricket Club this afternoon.

The home side dominated the opening exchanges, controlling the ball nicely before a cross from Jeze Butterfield was parried dangerously into the path of Nacori Smith, who scuffed his volley wide in the second minute.

Village slowly grew into the game after that early scare, knocking the ball around nicely. They failed to create anything serious, though, with Jaizel Smith-DeShields and Rai Simons getting into promising positions, but failing to make the right decision.

Midway through the first half, Trojans created their next notable chance. Smith turned provider, teeing up Tyrell to control and drag his half-volley wide of the near post.

About ten minutes before half-time, Village created their best moment in the final third. Playmaker Demetre Daniels played a lovely ball through to Simons, whose low effort was comfortably saved by makeshift goalkeeper Keith Jennings.

The visiting side finished the second half the stronger, but continued to make wrong decisions or lack that clinical edge that won them the title last season. Neither side looked like scoring as a disappointing first half came to a close.

Village started very well after the restart, with Daniels testing Jennings with a powerful low effort six minutes into the second period. They continued to dominate possession, but failed to break through the Trojans midfield press and couldn’t get behind the home side’s defence.

Village created their best chance of the day midway through the second stanza, when Daniels and Keishen Bean linked up beautifully with a one-two, before the latter had his effort smothered at the feet of Jennings.

The home side, who have won the league ten times, scored with their first shot on target 12 minutes from time. A lovely ball was played through to the overlapping run of Micah Henschke, with the youngster cutting back for Tyrell to place his effort past Pierre Smith.

Village continued to struggle in front of goal when another ball was played in by captain Terryn Fray eight minutes from time, but Daniels and midfield partner Jason Lee could not find the target with their efforts.

Alaye Darrell came on in the attempt to change the visiting side’s fortunes, but even he couldn’t penetrate the Trojans defence, as he tried to play a chipped ball into Bean, who failed to control under pressure.

The home side controlled the ball nicely in the final moments to hang on to an important clean sheet.

Trojans captain Trevin Ming praised his side’s performance. “I think we were solid,” the Bermuda defender said. “We had to be careful, as we did not have our first-choice goalkeeper.”

Ming was especially pleased with how they dealt with the weather. “We adapted well to the conditions,” he added. “We took advantage of our mobility in attacking areas.”

SCORERS

Somerset Trojans: Tyrell 78.

TEAMS

Somerset Trojans (4-3-3): K Jennings – K Sharrieff-Hayward, T Ming, S Brangman, M Henschke – S Tatem, D Swan (sub: M Joell, 83min), Jaz Ratteray-Smith (sub: C Durham, 69) – N Smith (sub: Jaiden Ratteray-Smith, 61), T Tyrell, J Butterfield. Substitutes not used: J Bean, R Seaman, K Joyiens, H Butterfield. Booked: Swan.

North Village (4-4-2): P Smith – Q Lema, T Fray, J Briers, N Araujo – J Smith-DeShields (sub: S Somner, 80), D Daniels, Z Robinson, J Lee – R Simons (sub: A Darrell, 85), K Bean. Substitutes not used: W Shakir.

Referee: A Francis.