Two-goal hero Jerry Webb showed a classic poacher's touch yesterday as he wrecked St. David's FA Cup dreams.

His opportunist strikes gave the Trojans an unassailable three-nil lead going into the second half.

They piled on the misery for opponents who had suffered the eighth-minute heartache of an own goal.

A disastrous lack of communication between St. David's goalkeeper Dale Fox and full-back Cal Richardson was to blame.

With the Somerset front men pressing down on him well outside Fox's area, Richardson headed the ball back towards his goal.

His intention was clear -- to steer the ball to Fox, who was to punt it to safety.

Unfortunately, Fox had come off his line, and, despite a despairing dive, the ball looped over him and into the net.

It was a disaster, which needlessly handed the initiative to Somerset, who took full advantage.

Although St. David's staged a remarkable second-half comeback, their fate was sealed.

Jerry Laws' superbly-taken 69th-minute goal was mere consolation.

To impartial observers, for St. David's to press the self-destruct button so early on was a shame.

Both teams clearly had a lot to offer, and appeared evenly matched.

In the 12th minute, St. David's carved out an opening when Eugene Smith linked up with Garrett Dill, who whipped a low cross into Somerset's area.

Striker Maxwell Dill met the cross with a powerful header, sending the ball past Winslow Williams' left post.

Dill had two other heading chances on the half-hour, but was foiled by Williams in quick succession.

In the 32nd minute, Webb grabbed his first goal with the ball bobbling about in St. David's area.

He stabbed the ball into the net from inside six yards.

And in the 44th minute he struck again in similar fashion, this time from about eight yards when he suddenly found himself unmarked.

St. David's came out fighting after the break, and took the game to their opponents.

Their goal from Laws was as well deserved as it was well taken.

Laws picked up the ball from about 15 yards from Williams' goal, and rifled it into the net.

Somerset coach Larry Hunt praised his side for settling down, and overcoming FA Cup jitters.

"We were a little bit nervous, and I thought they (St. David's) played with a lot of fight.

"But in the end I thought we were the best team, and deserved to win.'' Hunt was also keen to point out the Somerset pressure, which had helped bring about the first goal.

St. David's assistant manager David Scraders afterward bemoaned his side's misfortunes.

"Lady Luck just wasn't with us today. I though we outplayed them for long periods of the game.

"The own goal was really the result of a lack of communication, but I wouldn't like to point any fingers.

"One good thing, though, is that with the FA Cup out of the way, at least we can concentrate on the league.'' Somerset: W.Williams, B.Simons, L.Simmons, P.Place, T.Dickinson, S.Morrissey (D.Brown, 79 mins), R.Tucker (R.Simmons, 53 mins), C.Simmons, J.Webb, D.Basden, R.Bascome.

St. David's: D.Fox, C.Richardson, S.Hollis, E.Wolffe, E.Smith, G.Dill, S.Pitcher, D.Hollis (A.Steede, 59 mins), J.Laws, S.Smith, M.Dill (P.J.White, 71 mins).

Referee: Peter Sousa.

Men of the match: Jerry Webb (Somerset); Garrett Dill (St. David's).