Refusing to take a third mandatory drug test just might have denied Raymond Beach more than the opportunity to showcase his talents at the national level.

It could also have robbed the scoring sensation the chance of a lifetime to play professional football in the UK.

Among those at the National Sports Centre for the Santos match on Sunday was former Walsall general manager Paul Taylor, reportedly on the the Island scouting fresh talent.

And according to reliable sources, the prolific Devonshire Cougars striker was at the top of Taylor?s list.

But Beach?s refusal to show up for a third test after initial urine samples proved to be ?invalid? has now cast a dark shadow over any chance the Premier Division?s most feared attacker might have had of hitting the jackpot and following in the footsteps of Clyde Best, Shaun Goater and current national coach Kyle Lightbourne.

?I knew that Taylor was here on the Island to have a look at some of the local players and also to lend a bit of advice to me,? said Lightbourne.

Only last fall reported that behind-the-scenes discussions were ongoing to have Beach undergo football trials in the UK.

But in the aftermath of the weekend?s string of events, those plans might have hit a major snare.

?It?s not a good situation . . . but sometimes one has to take the rough with the smooth,? added Lightbourne, who said he would have preferred to have had the services of the Island?s top poacher on Sunday.

Lightbourne previously played under Taylor ? reported to be on the Island for the next week ? at Walsall for four seasons.

?There?s no doubt about it . . . these (three) are some of the players we wanted to represent the country,? Lightbourne continued.

?But it is a very difficult situation for me to talk about right now although I would have liked to have had them play a part on Sunday. However, we will just have to wait and see what happens in the near future.?

Beach was among a group of three players who were required to take a third drugs test after initial tests came back ?invalid?.

Cougars team-mates Omar Butterfield and Heys Wolfe were also required to take a third test but declined.

And although no player was found to have broken any rules, the fact that the trio refused to take a third test is sufficient to threaten their careers.

Bermuda Football Association yesterday announced venues for this Sunday?s FA Cup quarter-final round.

Hamilton Parish will take on Prospect at Lords, MR Onions will play PHC Zebras at BAA Field, Ireland Rangers host Somerset Trojans at Malabar while Devonshire Cougars play North Village at Devonshire Recreation Club.

In Women?s FA Cup action, BISYS Royals meet PHC at BAA Field.