Devonshire Cougars 5

Key West Rangers 1 (aet)

Four goals in extra-time by Cougars put an end to what had been a stirring run by Commercial League side Key West Rangers in the FA Cup this season.

At Devonshire Rec. yesterday the minnows from the lower league left Cougars fans shell-shocked as the game was forced into an extra 30 minutes. But in the end it was the better conditioned and superior drilled side who earned a place in the semi-final.

While Rangers deserve credit for holding off Cougars for so long, the home side's failure could be attributed to their ineptness up front rather than their opponents' defensive qualities. However, that aside, there was no denying that Rangers' goalkeeper Jason (Big Dog) Robinson added to the frustration of the Cougars' attack by turning away several shots on target until he was injured and replaced after 75 minutes.

When it was over, Robinson was among the many Rangers players who felt satisfied that they had performed well, even though they fought against the run of play for most of the contest.

"As the game got older I expected them to get on top of us. In Heys Wolfe and Raymond Beach they have two of the best strikers in the Premier League and we did well to contain them," said Robinson.

"Hey, we are a team that doesn't even train. To hold Cougars off like we did was quite an accomplishment. It was definitely a good run for us in the FA Cup. They had 95 percent of the play but we gave them a scare or two along the way."

Cougars eventually showed their prowess with Mark Smith breaking the 1-1 deadlock after 11 minutes of the first half of extra-time. Then they proceeded to blow Rangers away in the second period with goals by Salaam, Beach and Wolfe.

Earlier, Cougars probably hadn't played a worse opening half this season as they pinned Rangers down but watched as players like Wolfe, Beach and Smith squandered chance after chance.

Wolfe had poor luck once when Rangers' full back Casey Butterfield headed his curling corner off the goal-line with the game just 10 minutes old but further frustration came Cougars way 12 minutes later when Beach went through the middle only to see goalkeeper Robinson advance to block his shot.

As Rangers struggled, Cougars moved upfield in comfort and often worked their way within scoring range only to lose possession or rifle shots wide or over goal.

After 35 minutes they came close again but this time Robinson showed great agility when he dived full length to palm away a piledriver from Wolfe. Just before the half Kori Goddard put an angled shot into the chest of Robinson.

The trend continued in the second half with Cougars blowing chances while Craig Crichlow came close to scoring on two occasions for Rangers during counter attacks.

Cougars finally took a 1-0 lead after 66 minutes when Wolfe sneaked behind the defence to smartly head home a cross from Beach.

When Robinson limped off the field because of a hamstring injury after 75 minutes and was replaced in goal by forward Tillman Darrell, one expected Cougars to add a few more to their tally, but this didn't happen.

Wolfe, Beach and Smith continued to miss the target and Cougars were stunned a minute from the end when Rangers skipper and centre-back Roderick Lewis caught the defence sleeping and fired home a sizzler from 16 yards to level the score.

Cougars finally found their scoring touch in extra-time when they accelerated and were at last able to show their opponents who was boss.

Devonshire Cougars: L.Tota; D.Brangman, D.Eve, S.Smith (K.Swan, 55 mins), J.DeShields; Y.Pitt (V.Martin, 55 mins), M.Smith, W.Salaam, K.Goddard (L.Richardson, 68 mins); R.Beach, H.Wolfe. Subs not used: M.Doucat, T.Smith. Booked: W.Salaam, J.DeShields.

Key West Rangers: J.Robinson (A.Thomas, 75 mins); C.Butterfield, R.Lewis, S.Maybury, E.Richardson; W.Crockwell (R.Mallory, 58 mins), W.Mills, R.Wilson, A.Critchlow (D.Minors, 64 mins); C.Critchlow, T.Darrell. Subs not used: S.Boyles, P.Richardson.

Booked: C.Butterfield.

Referee: L.Raynor

Men of the match: W.Salaam (Cougars); J.Robinson (Key West).