PHC have the chance to avenge their defeat by Devonshire Cougars in last month’s Dudley Eve Trophy final, although coach Scott Morton insists that they have put that result behind them.

Zebras were beaten by a controversial goal at Devonshire Recreation Club, but set up another meeting with Cougars, this time in the Frienship Trophy final after an impressive second-half display against Dandy Town, who paid for early wastefulness.

PHC will also move level with North Village and Somerset on 11 wins in the competition if they pull off victory at Wellington Oval on New Year’s Day.

“That [Dudley Eve final] is way behind us now, you can never bring that back,” Morton said after his team beat Town 3-1 in yesterday’s semi-final at Goose Gosling Field.

The result may have been different had Town converted some early chances. PHC led 1-0 at the interval after penalty from captain Cecoy Robinson before two goals in three minutes early in the second half by Marco Warren and Idrees Sharrieff. Town scored a consolation penalty through Damon Ming.

“We didn’t do it today, the first half was absolutely terrible from our perspective,” Morton admitted. “In the second half you saw the turnaround, after I had to lay into the players a good bit. What I really, really appreciated was how they responded to that, no one took it personal.”

Cougars clinched the first spot in the final with a 3-1 victory over North Village on Boxing Day at PHC Field. Certainly they will not be taken lightly by PHC, who are the unbeaten Premier Division leaders.

“Anybody who we play in the final would be welcome so it’s not about the opponents,” Morton said. “What I’m looking forward to is Thursday’s training session to get into the players how to recover from this match. Understanding how to put two halves together is critical for us.”

St George’s reached the Shield Trophy final after a come-from-behind 3-2 win over neighbours St David’s in yesterday’s opening match at Goose Gosling Field. They will meet holders BAA, who thrashed Young Men’s Social Club 7-1 on Boxing Day. BAA beat St George’s 4-0 in last season’s semi-final.

Yesterday, Donavan Thompson turned the match around for St George’s with two late goals after St David’s led 2-1 up to the 78th minute.

“St David’s gave us a run for our money, it was a very competitive game,” acknowledged Kervin Moreno, the St George’s assistant coach.

“From our hard work and persistence we came out victorious. We’ve played BAA already but we’re not dwelling on that, it’s a different ball game when it comes to a final.

“We’re going to give it all we’ve got, we’re playing at home so we have an advantage. I’m proud of the guys for the victory today. Donavan started off slow but he picked it up at the end when we really needed it. I give full credit to St David’s, they came to play.”