Young Men’s Social Club 0 Somerset Trojans 0

Young Men’s Social Club marked their return to the top flight after 37 years with a hard-fought point against a young Trojans team still in search of their first victory after three matches.

Although they showed some grit and determination, one could argue, that the goalless scoreline had less to do with the Bluebirds’ fighting spirit, and more to do with Somerset’s wastefulness in front of goal. After early exchanges, Somerset established themselves as the dominant team, as captain Justin Corday was able to pull the strings from central midfield. Their dominance, however, did not translate into goals, as raid after raid ended in shots that either missed the target or caused little trouble to Social Club goalkeeper Reid Trott.

The first half was summed up in the dying moments when the Trojans managed to miss two golden opportunities in as many minutes. The pacy Leo Burgess was the culprit in both instances. He was, at first, the beneficiary of some sloppy defending, when an attempted clearance rebounded off of him and into his path, leaving him with just the keeper to beat. Burgess hesitated before attempting to round the keeper, allowing the defence to recover and clear.

Minutes later, Burgess again found himself one on one with the keeper and elected to chip him, when a simple finish to either side seemed easier. The attempt sailed harmlessly over the goal.

The second half began much like the first, and within ten minutes Somerset were awarded a penalty, when Kelly Francois was judged to have handled the ball while on the ground inside the box. Trott, who put in a solid performance between the sticks, dived to his right to save the spot kick, taken by Jesse Seymour.

As the game wore on Social Club started to assert themselves as their interim coach, Kameron Fox, began making changes to shift the momentum. This allowed them to shift the tides in the middle of the park, which had been dominated by SCC for the majority of the match.

Somerset, however, had one last attempt to make the breakthrough when young substitute Zarion Darrell had his shot from just outside the box parried in the path of Seymour who was only able to put his rebound off the frame of the goal.

Social Club had a chance to steal all three points at the death but their chance fizzled into nothing as their marksmen from last season, Clay Darrell, was unable to make the most of a three-on-two situation.

TEAMS

Young Men’s Social Club: R Trott — L Doughty, K Francois, G Saltus, S Tuzo, N Armstrong (sub: M Young, 75min), C Darrell, M Rudo, T Williams (sub: Kelvon Butterfield, 60), K Rawlings (sub: D Simons, 75), C Woolridge. Substitutes not used: C Burgess, P Darrell, Kenneth Butterfield, J Simmons, A Purnell, J Outerbridge.

Somerset Trojans: J Morrissey — R Quinn, J Corday, C Durham, L Burgess, Jadan Ratteray-Smith, Jaz Ratteray-Smith, M Joell, J Seymour, M Jones (sub: Z Darrell, 65), T Bean. Substitutes not used: Y Williams, S Tatem, A Charles, H Butterfield, J Greaves, J Butterfield.

Referee: A Bailey