Devonshire Cougars' celebrations over reaching next month's FA Cup Final may be cut short following reports that they fielded an ineligible player during Sunday's 5-2 semi-final thrashing of First Division Prospect.

It's understood that Bermuda Football Association have called a meeting to discuss the fact that Cougars' played Kory Goddard despite the fact that he was under suspension.

A TV report last night claimed that written confirmation of Goddard's ban had been sent to the club but was not passed onto head coach Albert Smith before Sunday's game.

Goddard played for 68 minutes in the match at Somerset before being substituted.

BFA league and competitions committee chairman Charles Clarke, a former executive with the Devonshire club, said last night: "You should really speak with (BFA general secretary) David Sabir. All I know is that a meeting will be held but that's all I can say at this point."

Asked whether there was any substance to the reports, Clarke replied: "It would seem so."

Sabir could not be reached for comment.

Should Cougars be found guilty of fielding a player under suspension the BFA could award the match to Prospect which would see them become the first First Division side in 15 years to reach an FA Cup final.

The BFA could, however, also order that the match be replayed.

Meanwhile, tonight sees another cup semi-final when Somerset Eagles and Boulevard clash at Devonshire Recreation Club in the Friendship Trophy.

Having suffered a series of heavy losses to the Blazers, Eagles finally put paid to that jinx with a timely 3-1 win at White Hill Field in their last league match of the season - a result which assured them top flight football next season.

Although Eagles have endured more ups and downs this season than an elevator ride, Somerset Bridge president Bray Saltus is hopeful a visit to the Friendship final will end their campaign on a high note.

"This is something that would add a real pleasant finish to our season," he said. "There's no pressure on us to survive, that's already been accomplished. And we have also realised now that we can compete with the so-called bigger clubs. So to come away with a bit of silverware at the end of the season would be a good way to put the icing on the cake."

Saltus noted how his team were mentally prepared for tonight's battle.

"We are as talented as any other team but we just need to prepare ourselves like other teams have done," he said.

"At the moment we are certainly much stronger mentally and going into this match I expect that both teams will be looking to pick up something extra for the season. I know for sure that our players will certainly be looking forward to going to the National Sports Centre for a cup final."

After watching Eagles bounce off the ropes to defeat his team during their previous encounter, Blazers manager Amon Brown reckoned things would be a little different this time around.

"We may have stumbled over a hurdle but it was just a matter of who wanted it the most on that day and Eagles needed to win in order to survive," he recalled.

"They came and played a good game and beat us fair and square. They played with more heart and had more at stake. A wounded animal is a dangerous animal and that's how they were on that day. But you can't go by that outcome because you can rest assured that we will come out to play next time when there's more at stake."

Tonight's big match will be preceded by the First Division Shield contest between Ireland Rangers and promotion bound Hamilton Parish, beginning at 7 p.m.