Dandy Town Hornets remained in control of their Premier Division title charge with a convincing win over Somerset Trojans at Somerset Cricket Club.

The visitors dominated the early exchanges and made their supremacy count inside ten minutes, after Azende Furbert was taken down by Micah Henschke just outside the penalty area. Angelo Simmons curled the resulting free-kick underneath the home side’s wall and into the near post past goalkeeper Jade Morrissey.

The remainder of the first half was largely a midfield battle with neither side taking complete control of the tempo or territory. However, midway through the first half, Somerset created their best opening of the period.

After a quick interchange between Tevahn Tyrell, Nathan Rego, Jeze Butterfield and Jaiden Ratteray-Smith, the latter turned into space just outside the penalty area before firing well wide. Just before half-time, they worked a corner neatly before the cross was flicked on by Ratteray-Smith and volleyed over the bar acrobatically by Rego.

The second half had a similar start to the first, with Town trying to dominate possession, but Trojans pushing them back on several occasions. The hosts continued to get into promising positions, but none of their attackers were able to capitalise in the final third.

They would end up paying for their misses with Town doubling their advantage and knocking the fight out of the Trojans.

A free kick from about 25 yards out was drifted in by midfielder Nizigh Spence and when the home side’s defence failed to clear their lines, Kamali Davis picked up possession, drove towards the goal line and cut back for Cecoy Robinson to clinch the victory.

Somerset finished the match strong, but wasted yet another chance following a quick move between Rego, substitute Jahkari Furbert and Jaiden Ratteray.

Furbert threaded a pass through for Tyrell, but his resulting effort would be the only significant save made by Hornets’ goalkeeper Jaiden Manders. The resulting corner was worked around before the cross towards Rego was well cleared, as the visitors held on for the clean sheet.

Town head coach Aaron Denkins was pleased with his side’s performance.

“I think we played well. We fought through a feisty Somerset side and remained disciplined,” said Denkins, who also praised the efforts of his younger players.

“We have to manage the team. I am happy with the squad depth, we played four youth players today.”

SCORERS

Dandy Town: Simmons 7, Robinson 76

TEAMS

Somerset Trojans (4-2-3-1): J Morrissey 5 – M Tankard 5, Jaz Ratteray-Smith 4, T Harris 5, M Henschke 5 (sub: K Sharieff-Hayward 69 4) – D Brangman 4, J Ratteray-Smith 5 – N Rego 6, J Butterfield 4, D Ming 5 (sub: J Furbert 69 5) – T Tyrell 4. Substitutes not used: N Durham, M Jones, N Smith, C Durham, T Ming; Booked: D Ming

Dandy Town (4-2-3-1): J Manders 6 – E Blankendal 5, T Webb Jr 6, T Manders 5, M Mello-Cann 5 – N Spence 5 (sub: A Estravit 79), A Furbert 7 – K Davis 6 (sub: K Hendrickson 89), T Goater 7, A Simmons 5 (sub: D Scraders 46 5) – C Robinson 7. Substitutes not used: J Roser, S Tatem, S Darrell

Referee: T Simons