Perennial FA Cup giants Somerset Trojans and PHC Zebras were kept apart during yesterday?s semi-final draw of the prestigious competition, thus remaining on course for what would be an historic final showdown on April 10.

The two Premier Division clubs presently share the record for the most FA Cup wins at nine apiece and have not met each other in an FA Cup final since 1974-75 when Zebras prevailed 3-1 at the former National Stadium.

Zebras were pitted against 2002-03 cup champions North Village during yesterday?s draw held at Captain?s Lounge while Trojans will take on sole surviving First Division outfit Hamilton Parish.

PHC will be gunning for an unprecedented 18th FA Cup final appearance while Trojans will be bidding for their 12th overall and first since 1990.

Village, meanwhile, will attempt to advance to a fifth FA Cup final in the last six years.

The Reds are also scheduled to meet Zebras in the Friendship Trophy semi-finals, yet to be rescheduled after the initial contest fell victim to inclement weather.

The first FA Cup semi-final featuring Zebras, conquerors of cup holders Dandy Town in the second round, and Village will take place on February 20 at Wellington Oval while Trojans lock horns against Parish on March 6 at Southampton Oval.

?If it happens . . . it happens,? stated Somerset Cricket Club official Josef Gooden, alluding to a Zebras versus Trojans final.

?It would be nice for both teams as they are trying to be the first to reach the number ten mark.

?But we?re just concentrating on getting to the final first. This is the semi-final stage and although we haven?t seen Hamilton Parish play this season, we have played against them before and so we do know their strengths and weaknesses. But if we come to play and maintain our concentration then then we should be successful.?

Trojans will be making a third straight appearance in the FA Cup semi-finals with hopes of finally negotiating the penultimate hurdle.

But if Parish have their way it won?t happen, according to veteran player Leon Raynor.

?We?re definitely looking to get to the final,? he declared boldly. ?FA Cup is about who can perform on the day. So hopefully our players are mentally prepared on the day.

?We are happy to still be in the competition at this stage but now to be successful we are looking forward to two serious matches.?

Zebras assistant coach Eddie Dowlin, took yesterday?s draw in his stride.

?It?s no big deal for the Zebras . . . we come prepared for anybody,? he said. ?So we?re confident because we train hard and we play hard for good results.?

Village player/coach Kentoine Jennings surprisingly favoured his team?s chances better against Zebras than minnows Parish.

?Personally I wasn?t looking forward to playing against Parish,? he said. ?I think that takes away from our preparations as far as being in the semi-finals. Now I think my team is more intense and aware that they have to play against a team that has defeated them twice already for the season, convincingly.

?So this will definitely help me to prepare them a lot better for this semi-final rather than against Parish and get the result that we are looking for.?

Meanwhile, yesterday?s draw for the Women?s FA Cup semi-final saw defending champions Lady Cougars paired with Somerset Cricket Club Hurricanes in the first semi-final to be played on February 20 at Wellington Oval while BISYS Royals will take on Dandy Stars in the remaining semi-final on March 6 at Southampton Oval.