Somerset Trojans 1 Devonshire Cougars 0

Jaz Ratteray-Smith struck a penalty 15 minutes from time to prevent Devonshire Cougars from returning to the top of the Premier Division at Somerset Cricket Club last night.

Ratteray-Smith confidently stepped up to score the only goal of the match after referee Anthony Francis pointed to the spot when Rio Thomas tumbled under a challenge inside the box. His strike earned Trojans only their second victory of the season after their win at home to Dandy Town in November.

For Cougars, who were without the suspended Domico Coddington and the injured Zari Simmons, it was their second consecutive loss following a 2-1 defeat by table-toppers North Village on Saturday.

Despite the victory, Trojans remain in the relegation zone but have closed to within a point of Young Men’s Social Club, who face a relegation battle against bottom side X-Roads on Sunday.

Trojans coach Jensen Rogers was breathing a sigh of relief after the game and attributed the win to hard work

“We have some good belief in the team,’’ Rogers said.

“We felt we had a good week of training, the guys were committed and then today was about sticking to what we were working on.

“We kept it simple, and we said if all else fails that we must work hard and we must stick together.

“Cougars are a quality side and are in second place for a reason but we knew our togetherness is what’s going to help us get over the hurdle.”

With seven matches remaining, Rogers has renewed confidence that his side have what it takes to avoid dropping into the First Division.

“There are still a lot of points out there to grab,’’ he said.

“People did not think that we were going to win this match, but we have and that’s a bonus.

“Hopefully some other results can go in our favour and we can continue to climb up, improve and grab some points.

“Every point is valuable, whether is one point or three points. We are coming for the points and today is the start.”

Cougars created most of the opportunities during the 90 minutes and could have secured a win if forward Elisha Darrell had been at this best.

Darrell, replaced five minutes before the end, and forward Nyeem Simmons wasted a number of scoring opportunities, including just two minutes after half time when Darrell fed Simmons, whose shot came off the upright.

Cougars’ best chance fell to Darrell in the 68th minute when the lanky forward found himself one-on-one with Trojans goalkeeper Nkenge Durham but sent his effort way over the bar.

SCORERS

Somerset: Jaz Ratteray-Smith 75 pen

TEAMS

Somerset Trojans (4-4-2): N Durham 6 – J Shields 6 (sub: M Eve, 72min), T Outerbridge, Jaz Ratteray-Smith 7, M Tear-Deleon – M Nisbert-Tankard, Jadan Ratteray-Smith, J Greaves 6 (sub: Brangman, 86), J Powell 6 (sub: P Robinson 60, 5) – K Cann 6 (sub: K McNeil, 72), R Russell 6 (sub: J Simmons, 86). Substitutes not used: J Simmons, C Durham. Booked: Tear-Deleon.

Devonshire Cougars (4-3-3): J Eve 6 – M Joell 6, J Schroder, Z White 6, J Thomas 6 – Q Maynard 6, D Simmons 6, D Daniels 6 – M Thomas 5 (sub: L Simmons, 53 5), N Simmons 5 (sub: C Albouy, 66 5), E Darrell 6 (sub: C Brangman, 85). Substitutes not used: Z Simmons, J Wade, N Carmichael, Booked: Schroder, N Simmons, Darrell.

Referee: A Francis.