Hamilton Parish 1 Devonshire Cougars 0

Samuel McKittrick made a telling contribution from the bench to help Hamilton Parish snatch a last-gasp victory over ten-man Devonshire Cougars in their Dudley Eve Trophy group B opener at Bernard Park on Sunday.

After playing for more than 30 minutes at a numerical disadvantage after Makai Joell was dismissed for a second bookable offence, Cougars looked set to seal a share of the spoils that their valiant defensive display warranted.

However, their resistance was finally broken in the cruellest of circumstances in the 93rd minute as unmarked McKittrick, who was introduced in the 75th minute, found himself in the right place at the right time to head home fellow substitute Tyler Welch’s deep cross from the right.

“It was great to come off the bench and have a big impact on the game,” said the match-winner, who is determined to have more of a starring role in Sergio Goater’s side this season.

“I knew with my style of play that I could bring some energy to the game in midfield and try to help the team to create more against their ten men.

“I think I’ve made it clear with the way I’ve carried myself and worked in pre-season that I would like to have more of a starting role in the team this season, so we will have to see what happens going forward.

“As a club we want to win titles, nothing less.”

After a tentative start, the match suddenly sparked into life in the 21st minute when Zari Simmons unleashed a right-foot effort from 30-yards, which Nigel Burgess did well to palm away to safety.

At the other end, Parish were nearly gifted the opener when captain Macquille Walker’s speculative long-distance effort almost squirmed under the hands of Alexander Parker- Ingham, who was relieved to see the ball roll agonisingly past the right upright.

Cougars’ Simeon Burrows then thrashed wildly over the bar from inside the area when instead he could have crossed to an unmarked Elisha Darrell, while goalkeeper Ingham was again called into action to punch away Jarye Bean’s dangerous inswinging free-kick from the right to ensure the sides went in level at the break.

The second half started at a frantic tempo with Cougars going close to finding a breakthrough in the 49th minute through Ricaija Simmons, who’s low-driven effort was kept out by a combination of Burgess and his upright.

Just a minute later, Parish went even closer to opening the scoring when Samario Valasse-Paul’s goalbound effort was brilliantly kept out by Zeko White on the line.

Parish began to get a foothold in the game and tested Ingham again, who had to be alert to palm away Diego Richardson’s stinging 25-yard strike.

Just after the hour mark Parish were handed the initiative when a weak pass by Ingham was seized upon by Nasje Brockington, who was hauled down by Joell as the winger bore down on goal.

Having already been booked in the first half, referee Tashun Simons was left with no choice but to brandish a second yellow card and give Joell his marching orders.

Despite the man advantage and dominating possession, Parish struggled to break down Cougars’ dogged defence, with the only real threat coming three minutes after the dismissal as Walker tamely shot at Ingham from inside the area.

However, there was to be a last-gasp twist as with three minutes of additional time already played, Welch’s cross from the right found its way to the back post where McKittrick managed to guide a header past the desperate reach of Ingham, sparking wild celebrations among the Parish players, staff and fans.

SCORERS

Hamilton Parish: Samuel McKittrick 90+3

TEAMS

Hamilton Parish (4-5-1): N Burgess 7 – J Bean 6, Q Outerbridge 6, Kion Knights 6, A Nelson 7 – S Valasse-Paul 7, N Brockington 6, Z Burgess 6 (sub: S McKittrick 75), J Bell 6, D Richardson 6 (sub: T Welch 72) – M Walker 7. Substitutes not used: R McKittrick, C Lindo. Booked: Brockington, Bell, Valasse-Paul, Richardson, Bean.

Devonshire Cougars (4-3-3): A Ingham 7 – D Williams 6 (sub: Jayori Fox 56min), Z White 7, D Hendrickson 6, J Thomas 6 – Z Simmons 6, M Joell 5, J Brimmer 6 (C Brangman 85) – S Burrows 6, R Simmons 6 (sub: Q Maynard 56min, 6), E Darrell 6. Substitutes not used: J Furbert-Wade. Booked: Brangman Sent off: Joell

Referee: T Simons