Aljame Zuill is in a class all by himself.

The 29-year-old national team striker brought in the new year in grand style, banging in his 19th goal of the season to spur Devonshire Cougars to Dudley Eve Champions Cup glory over North Village at Wellington Oval last Monday.

With the Reds holding a slim 1-0 lead, Zuill grabbed Cougars? 75th minute equaliser with a little help from ?keeper Jason Williams to send the game into penalties where the striker again levelled the scores before Domico Coddington buried the hatchet once and for all.

It was Zuill?s third cup title in two seasons since his transfer from Devonshire Colts at the conclusion of the 2003-04 season.

Yet a pre-tournament injury nearly robbed the veteran player of a chance to showcase his scoring prowess over the festive break which saw Zuill top the competition?s scoring charts with four goals in four outings.

?I would have to be on crutches in order for me not to play. And the coach (Andrew Bascome) allowed me to rest at times during training,? Zuill told .

Cougars actually entered the tournament with several leading cast members walking among the wounded.

But this did little to prevent the Dudley Eve taking up residence at the Den for the first time in local football history.

?At one point it was though the whole team was injured but again the coach did an excellent job allowing us time to recuperate. And some guys took time out to rest while others toughed it out,? Zuill added.

And despite losing their opening Dudley Eve contest against Village in a high-scoring affair at Somerset Cricket Club, Zuill said he and his team-mates refused to allow any rot to set into their camp.

?We were actually focused more on practising penalty kicks,? Zuill revealed. ?Our coach had faith in us and after we lost to Village we were determined to bounce back, take the long route to the final and win it.?

Taking the long route proved to be a blessing in disguise for a Cougars side that had taken the shorter path last year only to lose against Dandy Town in the final at White Hill Field.

?This time we showed we have a lot of fight and played together as a team,? Zuill continued. ?We just try to take advantage of every opportunity we get to win trophies. Our motto is do or die.

?And either way we looked at it we knew we owed Village something for the earlier loss. We also had to make amends for losing the Friendship Trophy to Dandy Town.?

Cougars won a maiden Friendship title last season when they defeated PHC 3-0 after extra time at the National Sports Centre.

Zuill also netted a brace in that match ? five months after making his national team debut in the Digicel Cup in St.Vincent.

As one of the most senior players on the team, Zuill?s experience is just one of many assets coach Bascome has at his disposal.

?I may blow my fuse sometimes but the guys still listen to me when I encourage them,? he added.

?I?ve played this game for a long time now and at times I am the only senior player on the team other then the skipper (Kwame Steede).?

Former Village forward Neil (Diamond) Robinson has also weighed in with years experience at the Den. Robinson brought fans to their feet at Somerset Cricket Club on December 22 when he scored a cracking goal from all of 25 yards against Village.

Zuill also heaped praise on coach Bascome who has instilled a tremendous sense of belief in his troops.

?Andrew is a scientist. He continues to drill in our heads the style he wants us to play. Sometimes he gets a bit upset with us when we don?t play in the manner in which he wants us to play. But we are all grown men,? smiled Zuill, grandson of well-known sports historian Warrington (Soup) Zuill.

As for last Friday night?s disallowed goal against Hornets, Zuill reflected: ?That was a bit disappointing. I never handled that ball. I actually headed the ball and had been waiting patiently all game for one of those balls to drop.?

That honour fell to the boot of Heys Wolfe who volleyed Cougars through to the final with a shot that will live long in the memory.

With the Dudley Eve tucked away, Cougars can now refocus on the defence of their Premier Division championship and qualification to a second FA Cup appearance in the last three seasons.

Zuill also hopes to surpass his previous best (26 goals) this season.

?I?m definitely getting closer but as you might have noticed we didn?t go on the traditional motorcade on Tuesday,? he added. ?We just chilled out because we want to retain our league title and win the FA Cup also.

?These are our to main two priorities now. And everybody knows what is expected of them.?