Underdogs St. George's smashed the cultured challenge of the favoured Somerset Trojans with the west enders tumbling out of the Friendship Trophy last night with a slim victory at Devonshire Rec.

The player doing the damage was striker Melvin Simmons, who was the architect of a similarly 1-0 victory for St. George's over the Trojans in their last First Division match-up at Wellington Oval on November 21.

But the goal that Simmons scored to clinch victory last night was a New Year's gift -- one that was handed out by the Trojans' goal-keeper Antoine Swan.

It was awarded to St. George's on a silver platter, coming after 44 minutes when Swan mishandled a bouncer enabling the eager Simmons to gain possession and drill it home from a sharp angle close in on the right.

The goal came during a first half that saw the Trojans excel and have more shots on goal, but with St. George's remaining competitive and giving away little to their opponents.

The Trojans had enough chances to lead by the interval though. St. George's goal-keeper Troy Hall was forced to tip over a shot from Duval Binns after six minutes and Lamaul Crofton struck the post from 15 yards after 32 minutes.

Rodney Bascome then missed a sitter from close in after Crofton crossed from the right with 41 minutes.

In between Bascome, Binns, Shawn Roberts and George Cann powered shots over the goal.

St. George's had fewer scoring opportunites, but Simmons always looked dangerous with snap shots from just inside the box and twice he put efforts narrowly over the goal.

The second half saw the Trojans take complete control, but often looked bewildered when play reached the penalty area. This is where the St. George's defence, marshalled expertly by centre-halves Neil Paynter and Franklyn Greaves, dealt decisively with the forwards. Poor finishing also led to the downfall of the Trojans.

It was frustrating for Trojans fans to see good approach work peter out several times in one of these fashions or to have Bascome or someone else strike the ball high or wide.

St. George's: T.Hall; A.Todd, N.Paynter, F.Greaves, D.Bailey; C.Greaves, D.Richardson, Q.Francis, S.Dickinson; M.Simmons (D.Whitfield, 70 mins), G.Foggo.

Somerset: A.Swan; A.Burchall, L.Simmons, S.Roberts, G.Cann (S.Arorash, 80 mins); R.Simmons, R.Tucker, D.Binns; R.Bascome, R.Scott (D.Basden, 60 mins), L.Crofton.

Referee: Esten Curtis Men of the match: Neil Paynter (St. George's); Lamaul Crofton (Trojans).

Devonshire 4, Social Club 0 The early Shield game saw Cougars score a decisive victory with three of the four goals coming in the second half.

Devon Brangman gave them a 1-0 lead at the half and second half goals came from Brangman, Wali Salaam and skipper Shawn Smith.