Ijahmon Mallory?s personal FA Cup hopes turned sour at the Den last Sunday when he injured his left-knee in a nasty tackle against Ireland Rangers.

The incident occurred right on the half-time whistle deep in Devonshire Cougars? own territory where Mallory, up to that point, had patrolled with authority.

Attempting to bodyswerve a challenge, Mallory?s left leg became entangled with an opponent?s as he fell to the ground.

After several minutes writhing in obvious pain, the player was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Mallory, whose brother Tafari played in the same match for Rangers, is the son of former Boulevard, Cougars and North Village forward Gary (Tuba) Mallory, currently assisting coach Andrew Bascome at the Den.

Cougars? 18-year-old marking centre half, who transferred from Somerset Trojans at the end of last season, is presently recovering at home.

So far X Rays have not revealed any fractures to the knee, the player?s father told .

?Right now the knee is quite swollen but Ijahmon is coming along nicely and feeling a bit better,? the senior Mallory said.

As it stands, Mallory?s chances of recovering in time for next weekend?s FA Cup semi-final clash against Dandy Town appear bleak.

And according to his father: ?Ijahmon is a bit disappointed at the moment.?

Meanwhile, Cougars? prolific striker Raymond Beach looks set to return to his team?s line-up for their crucial FA Cup clash with Hornets next weekend at BAA Field.

Beach, who has yet to hit the target since having a three-year ban lifted last month, missed Cougars? FA Cup quarter-final clash against Rangers at the Den through a slight calf-strain.

However, the menacing poacher, who netted 19 goals in ten matches before he was banned in January 2005, was due back in training last night ? at Warwick Camp and not the Den.

Beach and team-mate Chris Caisey have been put through their paces as new Bermuda Regiment recruits since last January.

?Beach pulled up in training last week and he was very frustrated,? Cougars assistant coach Mallory said.

?He didn?t play against Ireland Rangers and so hopefully he has had ample time to recover. Ijahmon is highly questionable for next week?s FA semi-final, but hopefully we will have both Beach and Caisey back for the match.?

Cougars meet Hornets at BAA Field in the second FA Cup semi-final on April 2.

Mallory says he isn?t too bothered by the venue, though he would like to see Cougars snap Town?s recent dominance over them.

There are those who believe Cougars inherited the curse of the Hornets when they obtained the services of Beach, Heys Wolfe and Kwame Steede ? all players who represented Town at the youth level before seeking greener pastures at the Den.

?We have to rectify that because Town have already beaten us twice in the league and knocked us out of the Friendship and Martonmere Cup,? Mallory said. ?But we managed to get them back in the Dudley Eve Champions Cup.?

A breathtaking Wolfe volley catapulted Cougars to a Dudley Eve semi-final win over Town at Somerset Cricket Club.

Cougars defeated North Village in the final at Wellington Oval on penalties.

?We just have to step up to the plate,? Mallory said. ?And looking back at those results that went against us should motivate us. But we still have to put in the work, and the guys realise this is the last trophy up for grabs. So now it?s up to them to try their best and bring the cup to the Den.?