Having completely dried off from Monday?s mud bath at Lords, North Village are set to appear in what will be a 12th cup final in the past six years and first Dudley Eve since 2000-01.

The five-time Dudley Eve champs blanked nearby rivals Dandy Town 2-0 in wet and windy conditions before a courageous gathering in the East End on Boxing Day.

And while the weather might have wreaked havoc upon the spectacle itself, little could prevent Village coach Dwayne (Streaker) Adams from singing and dancing in the rain after watching his charges book passage to their eighth Dudley Eve final overall.

?This is exactly what we had hoped to achieve; to get to the final the quickest way possible. For us it was all about sticking to the game plan. The guys knew exactly what they needed to do and overall things worked to our favour,? he told .

?Once we went 2-0 up I knew that was it because in conditions like those it?s tough for any team to come back. But again you can?t become complacent because Town have played well this season and are a team capable of coming back. I think Town put up a good fight and played well. So you can?t knock them.?

Village now have ample time to prepare themselves for their final opponents who won?t be determined until after tomorrow?s loser?s semi-final at Somerset Cricket Club.

But it all could have gone horribly wrong at Lords had it not been for Zane Hendrickson?s intervention between the posts, the Village ?keeper diving to his right to deny the returning Otis Steede from the penalty spot.

It was an effort that drew deserved praise from Adams ? arguably one of the best goalies Bermuda has ever produced.

?In those conditions that save was probably the difference between us winning and losing the match,? the coach noted. ?He (Hendrickson) made the save and shortly after that we were able to get one through at the other end.?

Since 2000-01, the Reds have gone on a silverware spree, chalking up two Martonmere Cups, a sole Dudley Eve, two Friendship Trophies, four FA Cups and five Charity Cup titles under four different coaches.

Only last September, Village equalled PHC Zebras? record for the most consecutive Charity Cup wins (four straight) with a high-scoring win over Devonshire Cougars.

The Reds also appeared in the inaugural Dudley Eve final (1978-79), losing 4-2 on aggregate to Devonshire Colts.

Adams is impressed with the team?s returning college kids, particularly diminutive midfielder Taurean Manders who tormented the Hornets? defence and played a hand in his team?s opening goal. Spotting Daniel Johnson standing slightly off his line, Manders let rip with a fierce drive that rattled the bar, leaving Nakia Smith the simple task of slotting the ball into an empty net.

The irrepressible Ralph Bean Jr netted Village?s second from the spot to assure them a place in next Monday?s final at Wellington Oval.

?Overall I?ve been impressed with the players and their commitment,? Adams added.