Robin Hood 1 Dandy Town Hornets 2

Playing in his first league game for his new club, Chemari Henry scored in added time to secure all three points for defending champions Dandy Town Hornets as they defeated a spirited Robin Hood 2-1 at Goose Gosling Field on Saturday night.

The former Devonshire Colts forward controlled a Cecoy Robinson through ball before unleashing a hard and low drive from within the box which veteran goalkeeper Timmy Figureido did well to partially block but couldn’t prevent from entering the net

Henry was delighted to notch on his debut and seal the points as Town began the defence of their league title.

“I want to praise the team for fighting through the 90 minutes. We have a young squad and are still trying to build”, an elated Henry said.

“This is my first year with the team and once we get the chemistry going, we will continue on from last season. It feels good to get the winner and the victory. Hopefully there will be many more to come.”

With new head coach Jay Bean at the helm for his first league match, the Hornets started fresh and hungry and pinned Hood in their own half for the opening 20 minutes but couldn’t find the breakthrough.

Tomiko Goater tested Figureido after a give and go with Robinson before getting off a drive which the goalkeeper did well to push around the post.

Minutes later, a defensive error allowed Henry to get a shot off which again brought out the best of Figureido, who went full length to push around the post for a corner. Goater threatened again when he weaved his way into the box before hitting a firm snap-shot which Figureido pushed into the air before turning to catch it as it was about to cross the line.

Just before the half, Hood finally tested the Hornets goalkeeper Daniel Johnson when Teiko Lowe, Ereico Outerbridge and Shannon Burchall combined well before the latter got off a curling effort.

Although the Hornets had dominated possession, a stubborn and resilient Hood outfit absorbed all the pressure to send the teams into the dressing rooms scoreless at the half.

It wasn’t long after the resumption that Hornets finally broke the deadlock when Robinson controlled Jomei Bean Lindo’s cross before planting a left-footed shot into the corner of the net.

Not giving in, Hood continued to press, led by captain Liam Evans, and their efforts paid dividends when Outerbridge found Burchall with an inch-perfect pass before he was clipped from behind by K’Wonde Lathan, who conceded a penalty. Outerbridge drilled his spot kick home, giving Johnson no chance.

The score was now even with Town applying constant pressure. Hood continued to defend well as full time approached but they were finally breached two minutes into added time when goalscorer Robinson turned provider to set up Henry with the winner to break Hood’s hearts.

Scorers

Robin Hood 1

E Outerbridge 61 pen

Dandy Town 2

C Robinson 53, C Henry 90 + 2

TEAMS

Robin Hood (4-2-3-1): T Figureido 8 --- K Naylor 7, M Hollis 7, B Tyson-Gooden 7, N Massa 6 --- L Evans 7, E Outerbridge 7 --- T Lowe 7, N Edwards 6 (sub: D Simmons, 81min), N Outerbridge 6 --- S Burchall 6. Substitutes not used:

Dandy Town Hornets (4-1-4-1): D Johnson 6 --- K Sharrieff-Hayward 6, J Bean-Lindo 6 (sub: J Wilson-Butterfield, 80min), A Furbert 6, M Parsons 6 --- J Chapman 5 (sub: K Lathanm, 46 5) --- C Henry 8, A Simmons 5 (sub: S Tatem, 34 5), N Spence 6, T Goater 7 --- C Robinson 8. Substitutes not used: D Scraders, T Smith, E Moor. Booked: K Sharrieff-Hayward, K Lathan.

Referee: D Jackson