Devonshire Cougars 2 Dandy Town Hornets 2

Devonshire Cougars and Dandy Town played out an exciting spectacle under the floodlights as night football returned at the The Den for the first time since 2016.

The Cougars survived two, strong penalty appeals against them which Town coach, Aaron Denkins took on the chin as his players were left unhappy upset with the decisions of official Anthony Francis.

“It was a tough game especially a night game at Devonshire Rec,” said Denkins. “The refereeing has been consistent all season.

“Some calls go for you and some calls go against you. Some calls were questionable tonight but we could have taken that out of the hands of the official by putting our chances away.

“Hats off to Cougars as they were able to penetrate us but we did well to hold them off when they had their numerical advantage.”

Cougars started the match at a quick pace but failed to capitalise on two glaring Town defensive errors within the first six minutes.

A poor touch by Terrance Webb resulted in the ball falling into the path of Domico Coddington but he could only chip the ball into the hands of Town goalkeeper Jaiden Manders.

Moments later a misdirected pass from Tre Manders went to Chekai Caisey at the top of the box but his curling shot went inches wide of the upright.

Town were having trouble settling in and it was no surprise when Cougars took the lead midway through the half. A good build up between midfielders Quadir Maynard and Zari Simmons put Coddington through to slip the ball under the onrushing Manders.

Town managed to find a foothold in the game and equalised within minutes. A needless foul by Elisha Darrell near the halfway mark, resulting in a booking, was made worse when the ball was floated to the back post for Azendae Furbert to poke home.

Town started the second half with the momentum. Skipper, Angelo Simmons, chipped over the outrushing Cougars’ goalkeeper, Ricardo Brangman only to have his goal bound effort saved off the line by a tracking defender. However, the ball was not completely cleared and Neigh Spence beat the recovering Brangman with a low shot into the left corner of his net.

Cougars levelled the score within minutes when Simmons’ cross was adjudged to have been handled by a Town defender in the box. Referee Francis awarded a penalty with Coddington beating Manders to his right.

Town sub, Jahzardae Samuels, was shown a straight red in the 77 minute when he hacked Coddington down from behind after being dispossessed to leave his team to finish the game with ten men.

Cougars survived two strong penalty appeals with the second coming in the last kick of the game.

Cougars skipper, Zeko White, looked to have handled the ball from a cross with the match now in added time. Francis allowed the ball to go out of play before consulting with his assistant but he did not award a penalty and instead, blew the whistle to end the game sparking strong protest from the Town players.

SCORERS

Devonshire Cougars: D Coddington 23, 61

Dandy Town Hornets: A Furbert 29, N Spence 55

TEAMS

Devonshire Cougars (4-2-3-1): --- R Brangman 6 ---D Williams 6, C Caisey 6, Z White 6, J Thomas 6 --- Q Maynard 6, Z Simmons 6 (sub: J Wade 88) --- C Caisey 5 (sub: L Simmons 62, 5), E Darrell 5 (sub: C Albuoy 86), K Minors 5 (sub: D Bascome 62, 5)--- D Coddington 7. Substitutes not used: K Trott, A Cannonier, Z Morris. Booked: E Darrell, J Thomas.

Dandy Town Hornets (4-2-3-1): --- J Manders 6 --- E Blankendal 6, T Manders 6, T Webb 6, J Bean-Lindo 6 --- A Furbert 7, N Spence 7 --- J Chapman 5 (sub: J Samuels 4), T Goater 5 (sub: E Swan 4), A Simmons 5 --- C Robinson 5 (sub: M Mello-Cann 4). Substitutes not used: J Roser, S Darrell, S Tatem, D Scraders. Booked: J Bean-Lindo. Sent off: J Samuels

Referee: A Francis