Premier, First Division Weekend Football Results
Footballers in the Premier and First Division were all in action recently, with Robin Hood, PHC Zebras, Southampton Rangers, St. George’s Colts, St. David’s, Somerset Eagles, and Hamilton Parish earning wins, while two other matches ended in draws.
Premier: X-Roads 1 Robin Hood 2
Robin Hood dominated large swaths of this top of the table match at a frigid Garrison Field, however X-Roads displayed great resilience in holding the rampant attacks to mostly close misses and emerge just a single goal different from an entertaining encounter.
An initial feeling out process had the home team threaten early but to deceive, and following this testing, tentative period it was Robin Hood displaying the quality of skill and tactics, forcing a deepened defence as they came more into the proceedings.
As advertised their strike force of captain Antwan Russell, Lejuan Simmons, Shakir Smith and Tomiko Goater was irrepressive going forward, causing marking problems among the Warriors’ defence and none too few holes in it.
In the seventh minute Smith, who would torment his opponents all day on the left side, was glaringly wide of the target after rising alone in the centre of goal to a pinpoint right-wing corner from Simmons, however his glance of a header was woefully insufficient.
Smith turned provider moments later, his initiation of a left-side move resulting in Goater finding possession and creating room for Simmons, but had his strike-partner slicing high his effort at a beckoning goal.
There would be no mistake at the 20 minute mark, Russell taking matters into his own hands and latching onto a long ball forward and stripping his defender toward goal. Dashun Cooper advanced off his line in an attempt to intercept, succeeding though only in tripping Russell, with an awarded penalty the result.
Dusted from the fall rose Russell to adjust the spotted ball, his kick firmly true into the right corner as Cooper dove left.
X-Roads continued to strive without much success, their target man Donavan Thompson held mostly at bay by an organised Hood defence marshaled by Bermuda international Dale Eve. They were inflicted a wound at the stroke of half-time, as referee Anthony Francis made a booking of Tymon Daniels for a take-down of Russell at the half-way line, which was Daniels’ second and made mandatory his ejection from the day’s proceedings.
Down a player, X-Roads were made to suffer further dismay when Smith finally corrected his compass and scored the simplest of poke-in goals three minutes after the break. Work on the right by Russell, Simmons and Goater resulted in Russell’s cross bounded on by Simmons past Cooper, for Smith to touch over the line from a foot out.
Yet after a half hour of defensive struggle X-Roads found strength beyond their numbered disadvantage and it was their talisman Thompson again the inspiration.
Kept under wraps by dual and tandem marking, Thompson was able to finally shake free in the 81st minute and creatively — if unconventionally — find way past Eve.
The remaining 10 minutes would be a frenzy of Robin Hood defiance and Warriors’ resolution as the sides battled towards end, the final whistle distinguishing the visitors as best on this day.
X-Roads coach Fareed el Karfa as plainly disappointed at the referee’s decision to red card his player, saying: “It was absolutely the turning point – sending off – we’re here playing a quality team, we know that. And to to lose a man to what I completely disagree with, was absolutely unfair.
“That was unfair and it really took the equality away from the match and placed us at a distinct disadvantage for the second half.
“You cold see that we were still able to keep the character and keep fighting until we got that great effort from Donavan, and even with ten men we were dominating the late stages and the game could have changed … but it was unlucky for our team and I’m really proud of the boys for the character they showed.”
Asked specifically of his striker and his efforts in spite of extra attention, el Karfa spoke highly of the player currently leading all scorers in all divisions with 17 goals in all competitions, including nine Premier matches.
“Donavan has been brilliant, he’s shown a lot of character, a lot of fight, he’s playing for X-Roads and his team and I love his character,” said the coach. “H never gives up, he keeps fighting for his team and shows great character and I’m proud of him and this team, of course.”
On the winning side Robin Hood remain as the only unbeaten in league play, have already one trophy – Dudley Eve Trophy – are second now by a point to PHC and with a better goal difference.
Skipper Russell noted the first half hurdle to have been played in honour of his own older sibling, Tokia, a prime-time player in his own right, and recent Robin Hood and Bermuda forward Mazhye Burchall, both of whom were tragically killed in road collisions.
“Two years ago I lost my brother, and at the beginning of this season I lost what was like a little brother to me and all the guys are playing this season for him, so it’s not about us but him and the way he fought for us we are fighting for him,” said Russell, thoughtful of both after the match. “We’re playing in his honour and want to do him proud.
“Today we had a tough match, but as forwards when you don’t put teams away when you have the advantage there’s the chance of giving the other team a sniff at goal and they can take advantage.
“We allowed them in late and from there it was an uphill battle to the finish today but we made it through with our resilience.”
X-Roads dropped from first to third on the day, but can take pleasure in a solid first half of the season that has them in prime position to attack beyond the festive period.
Premier: Paget Lions 0 PHC Zebras 1
PHC assumed the Premier Division leadership with a repeat victory over neighbours Paget, that saw the former seize a one point lead at the top over close trailers Robin Hood, and two points over X-Roads, the leaders entering the weekend.
Paget were bolstered in their depth by the return of injured players missing from last weekends 4-0 dubbing at the hands of the Zebras in the Friendship Trophy preliminaries, however the result was the same albeit by a margin slimmer by goal number.
A scoreless first half preceded a lean second stanza at the Southampton Oval, with a stoppage time winner from CeCoy Robinson giving Zebras full marks, and leaving Paget in the familiar posting near the bottom.
Premier: Somerset Trojans 2 Dandy Town Hornets 2
At the Somerset Cricket Club cellar dwellers Somerset Trojans managed their second point of the season against Dandy Town following a 2 – 2 draw.
The Hornets received goals from Kwame Steede and top scorer Angelo Simmons, while the home standing Trojans were afforded an own goal and a conventional strike from Trevin Ming, as they entered the break somewhat encouraged.
Premier: Boulevard Blazers 3 North Village Rams 3
At Lord’s in St. David’s, the Boulevard Blazers held a 3 – 0 lead after 30 minutes, but the North Village Rams would fight back to draw the match at 3 – 3. The Boulevard Blazers got two goals from Ian Coke and a single strike from Khiry Easton, while the North Village Rams would get goals from Jonathan Briers, Che’kai Caisey and an own goal to complete the comeback.
First: Southampton Rangers 8 Devonshire Colts 1
At the Southampton Oval, League Leaders Southampton Rangers outscored the Devonshire Colts 8 – 1, Jarazhino Basset led the way scoring four times, while Cardel Henry added a hat-trick and Donte Brangman scored the other. Jah-zion Talbot-Thomas scored the lone goal for the Devonshire Colts.
First: St. George’s Colts 2 Ireland Rangers 1
The St George’s Colts played to a 2 – 1 victory over Ireland Rangers
First: St. David’s 2 Vasco 1
At Lord’s in St. David’s, Nuno DaSilva gave Vasco the lead in the 40th minute, but five minutes later it was 1 – 1 when Kontai Burton scored for St. David’s. The winner would come in the 70th minute as Stuart Wilson scored for St. David’s.
First: Wolves 1 Somerset Eagles 4
At the Garrison Field, visitors Somerset Eagles defeated Wolves 4 – 1. Anwar Telford would lead the Somerset Eagles to victory with a hat-trick, while Tahj Wade added the other, Lamont Brangman scored the lone goal for Wolves.
First: Flanagan’s Onions 3 Hamilton Parish 4
At the BAA Field visitors Hamilton Parish defeated Flanagan Onions 4 – 3, Hamilton Parish got two goals from Shayne Hollis, while Chris Caisey and Jordon Burgess added a goal each, while the Flanagan Onions got single strikes from Anthony Rocker, Markez Laws and Callon Burns.
