Controversy marred yesterday’s semi-final at Wellington Oval when a spitting incident involving Detroy Smith, the St David’s midfielder, led to referee Anthony Francis stopping the match before being persuaded to resume play after a 17-minute delay.

Kenny Bascome, the St David’s manager, admitted that he was “embarrassed” by the actions of a player who is in his first season at the club after transferring from St George’s Colts, although it was too soon to say whether he will be charged internally.

“I don’t know what led to that [the spitting incident], but I definitely don’t agree with anyone spitting on anyone,” Bascome said. “I think that’s low. It got a little heated, but I will not apologise for someone else’s behaviour.

“It was an embarrassment not only to me, but to the club also. The management will look into that. I will have my say and we will deal with it accordingly.

“As a manager, this is the first time I’ve ever had anything of that nature take place.”

The incident brought back memories of an abandoned Friendship Trophy final almost ten years ago at the same ground. Then, the April 2004 final between North Village and Somerset Eagles was called off after only 19 minutes when supporters invaded the pitch and began fighting in what was described as “gang warfare”.

This time, a player was at the centre of the incident when Smith, who was on a booking, received a second yellow card, and subsequent ejection, for dissent.

Smith, according to Francis, then spat on the back of his shirt as the referee turned away, and the official abruptly halted the match.

The Somerset team and substitutes remained on the field as Francis and the St David’s players headed for the changing rooms. BFA officials David Sabir and Cal Blankendal, the vice-president and chairman of competitions, intervened and persuaded Francis to resume the match, although it took another few minutes before the St David’s players agreed to return.

Smith scored his team’s first goal as St David’s twice came from behind to draw level, before Somerset scored with a penalty in first-half stoppage time that proved to be the winning goal.

“I constantly hear people talk about the officials,” Bascome added. “I understand there is a shortage of officials; however, a game of this magnitude, I felt they could have put someone of a higher quality in charge. However, I don’t believe in blaming the officials.”

For about 15 minutes after the Smith sending-off, it looked like the match would be abandoned, with no announcements coming from BFA officials on the public address system to inform the fans of developments. Immediately after the final whistle, though, an announcement from the host club advised supporters that the bar would be closing in 15 minutes as a precaution.

Scores of police and security were already at the ground and in place to prevent crowd trouble. In the end, Somerset were relieved to have the match restarted and finished.

“We were just trying to stay on our game and stay focused and not get caught up in the madness,” Trevin Ming, the Somerset captain, said after the final whistle confirmed his team’s victory and a place in the final on New Year’s Day.

“We deserved to play it out and make it through fairly. The main thing is it is over with and we made it through.”

All the goals came in an exciting first half, including three goals in the final six minutes before the break ,when Somerset finally went in front to stay.

Sean Brangman opened the scoring for the west-enders when he beat the advancing Corey Richardson to a ball into the penalty box by Deunte Darrell and side-footed home as he collided with Richardson.

St David’s hit back almost immediately when a rare mistake by goalkeeper Shaquille Bean created the opening for Smith in the 24th minute. Bean misjudged a high ball into the box as he advanced off his line and when the ball bounced over his head, Smith pounced to score.

The goal came against the run of play, as Somerset were starting to assert themselves. Burgess shot wide of the far post soon after before he made amends by putting Somerset back in front in the 42nd minute when he tapped home from close range after Richardson failed to collect.

St David’s pulled level again within three minutes for the second time in the match when Smith supplied the ball for Angelo Cannonier to run on to inside the box and smash a first-time shot inside the far post.

Somerset regained the lead in the third minute of stoppage time when Andrew Paynter was blown down for a foul inside the box and Sean Brangman converted from the spot.

St David’s were reduced to ten men in the 58th minute when Paynter was sent off for a second bookable offence, barging into Jaz Ratteray-Smith on the halfway line as St David’s were left exposed with a quick counter-attack.

Although St David’s were still in the game and battling hard for an equaliser with ten men, the Smith incident cost them dearly. With a two-men advantage, Trojans easily negotiated the last ten minutes of the match when play finally resumed.