Somerset Trojans 1 X-Roads 1

Somerset Trojans and X-Roads are still searching for their first wins of the Premier Division season after they played out a draw at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

Both goals came early with Aaron Spencer opening the scoring for X-Roads after nine minutes and Kameron McNeil equalising just a minute later.

For Trojans, who finished the match with ten players after Paris Robinson was sent off deep into the second half for a second bookable offence, it was their second stalemate of the season after a 2-2 draw with Young Men's Social Club in their first match of the campaign.

Already booked in the first half for dissent, Robinson was given his marching orders by referee Anthony Francis with nine minutes left after bringing down X-Roads captain Donovan Thompson.

While pleased to pick up a point, Trojans coach Jensen Rogers felt his side failed to capitalise on their goalscoring opportunities.

“We made it tough for ourselves,’’ Rogers said.

“We've got to be more clinical, take our chances when they present themselves and then we'll be better. It’s a disappointing result as even with ten men we felt that we were the better team.

“I’m happy to get something from the game but we could have definitely picked up a win. We just have to remain positive and keep doing what we’re doing, keep improving week by week, and eventually the win will come.

“The red card came from a youngster making a a young decision. He was rightfully sent off, I've nothing against the red, but it’s the decision making that annoyed me. We’ll go back to the drawing board and keep plucking away.”

After losing 2-1 to St George’s in their first match of the season, X-Roads coach Thaaqib Talbot welcomed the improved performance and felt his side was unlucky not to pick up all three points.

“Today’s game feels like two points dropped,’’ Talbot said.

“It was a game that we felt we should have won as we had quite a few missed chances. I think the players really worked hard and they put the work in. Unfortunately, we didn't get the result that we were looking for.

“The last ten to 15 minutes, we had a couple of players cramped up so we were trying to manage injuries.

“We weren't able to take advantage of our one person advantage by being calm and collected in our attacking and were not able to exploit the opportunities that presented themselves.

“It’s two games and no win but if you look at the progression, I think that we’re steadily getting better and reducing the amount of goals that we’re letting in.

“What we’re really focusing on now is remaining defensively solid, compact and use that as a foundation to stay in games and get the results.”

X-Roads were forced into an early change at the back when they had to withdraw Josef Smith in the fourth minute due to a back injury.

Spencer put X-Roads ahead with a brilliantly executed goal from range that caught Yizharyah Williams off his line before McNeil responded shortly after with a stunning effort that gave Q’Shai Darrell no chance.

Darrell later dived well to his right to keep out Jahkuri’s long range free-kick just before the half-time break and he was needed again shortly after the restart to block Jiriko Powell’s attempt at goal.

SCORERS

Somerset Trojans: J McNeil 10

X-Roads: A Spencer 9

TEAMS

Somerset Trojans (4-4-2): Y Williams 6 – J Shields 5 (Sub: J Simmons 81min), M Eve 5, J Ratteray-Smith 5, M Nisbert-Tankard 5, – J Furbert 5, P Robinson 4, J Powell 4 (sub: W Mendes, 59 5), J Ratteray – Smith 5 – K McNeil 5 (sub: R Russell, 46 4), J Butterfield 5. Substitutes not used: J Coddington, I Francis, K Evans, O Moore, J Morrissey. Booked: P Robinson. Sent off: P Robinson

X-Roads (4-4-2): Q Darrell 7 – A Cajee 6, O Williams 6, D Teleman 6 (Sub: L Hewey-Darrell, 69 4), J Smith (Sub: T Whited, 4 5) – C Araujo 6 (sub: A Wilson 81 mins), A Spencer 6, T Daniels 6, R Beek 6 (sub: K Richardson), J Lottimore 5 (sub: T Lowe, 81) – D Thompson 6, J Smith 6. Substitutes not used: A Matthews, J Dill, A Gill. Booked: T Whited, T Daniels, C Araujo.

Referee: A Francis