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Devonshire Colts clinch First Division title in style

Devonshire Colts celebrate after clinching the First Division championship (Photograph by Ras Mykkal)

Devonshire Colts put Somerset Eagles to the sword as they clinched the First Division title in dominant fashion with four games to spare at White Hill Field on Sunday.

Colts prevailed 5-1 with Sekai Tatem leading the charge with a brace while fellow substitute Brandon O’Connor, Jordan Saunders and Thierry Burgess also got their names on the scoresheet.

Marcus Simmons replied for Eagles, who trailed 1-0 at the break through Saunders’s first-half strike before the visitors opened the floodgates.

Devonshire Colts coach Ray Jones (Photograph by Ras Mykkal)

“It’s a wonderful feeling to clinch the league and promotion and also a wonderful feeling to get it done as soon as we did,” an elated Colts coach Ray Jones told The Royal Gazette.

“It was a great performance today from start to finish. We had to be patient and scored the first goal on the stroke of half time and then second half our superiority took over.

“It was a good way to win the league and to be promoted all at the same time.”

Action from Devonshire Colts 5-1 win over hosts Somerset Eagles at White Hill Field (Photograph by Ras Mykkal)

Colts hold an unassailable 16-point advantage over nearest rivals Wolves and have yet to be beaten in the league this season, scoring 49 goals and conceding 13.

Having now achieved their primary objective, the newly crowned First Division champions have shifted their focus to their upcoming FA Cup clash with holders North Village.

“Tonight we are celebrating but Tuesday we will back on the training pitch because we have North Village in the FA Cup and we want to make a good account of ourselves in that competition,” Jones added.

“Now that the pressure of going up is over, we can have some fun in the FA Cup.”

Action from Devonshire Colts 5-1 win over hosts Somerset Eagles at White Hill Field (Photograph by Ras Mykkal)

Meanwhile, the race for the remaining promotion spot remains open with only four points separating second-place Wolves from sixth place Boulevard.

Third-place Southampton Rangers trail Wolves on goal difference while fourth-place Robin Hood are also ahead of fifth-place Vasco on goal difference.

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Published February 05, 2024 at 8:08 am (Updated February 05, 2024 at 8:08 am)

Devonshire Colts clinch First Division title in style

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