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Trojans hoping to snap semi-final jinx

Could this be the year Somerset Trojans finally break their FA Cup semi-final jinx?For the past two seasons Trojans have reached the penultimate stage of the competition only to come up one win short.The West Enders are tied with PHC Zebras for having lifted the most FA Cup crowns ? a total of nine each.

Could this be the year Somerset Trojans finally break their FA Cup semi-final jinx?

For the past two seasons Trojans have reached the penultimate stage of the competition only to come up one win short.

The West Enders are tied with PHC Zebras for having lifted the most FA Cup crowns ? a total of nine each.

On Sunday they advanced to the semi-finals for a third year in succession with a 5-0 drubbing of First Division neighbours Ireland Rangers at nearby Malabar.

And having now secured a hat-trick of semi-final appearances, they?re hoping it will be a case of third time lucky.

Trojans haven?t appeared in an FA Cup final or won the coveted showpiece since 1989-90 when current coach Dennis Brown captained them to victory over Dandy Town at the National Sports Centre.

?It has been a bit disappointing, reaching the semi-finals and losing,? lamented Trojans skipper Karl Roberts. ?It was a good step up for us last year as we were a First Division side but we ran up against Dandy Town who were on a high at the time . . .

?But we at Somerset look to win every game that we play, although the league is definitely more important to us. Survival is always first and foremost on our minds.?

Although Trojans? current crop of players remain a far cry from that of Somerset sides of yesteryear, Roberts reckoned it wouldn?t be long before some of the shine is finally restored to ?Silver City?.

?Times have certainly changed from the Silver City that we all once knew,? he noted. ?It?s a difficult legacy that we are trying to uphold because the players before us set such high standards. And because of those high standards everyone knows Somerset for being victorious. But with a bit more dedication and commitment we believe there could be a change in fortunes ? and we are trying.?

While Trojans? lowly sixth place in the Premier Division table might suggest otherwise, the club have proven that they can rise to the occasion with a 5-1 hammering of Devonshire Cougars last November.

?I don?t think we have reached our full potential yet,? Roberts added. ?Although we want to be victorious in every match, injuries, suspensions and the league schedule has prevented us from getting into any sort of rhythm.

?But all in all, I think we have done good with some important victories here and there and the players have been committed. Our victory over Cougars was, I think, long overdue. We scored some spectacular goals on the night that were no fault of Cougars. But I think the most difficult thing for us so far has been the scheduling ? that has hurt us most.?

The departure of diminutive forward Damon Ming to UK side Barnet has also been a bitter-sweet pill to swallow, said Roberts. ?Damon would be a miss to any team,? he added. ?But I think the players realise that life goes on and we have done quite well without him. But he is definitely a big miss to the team.?

Premier Division giants Devonshire Cougars and North Village will slug it out again tonight for the right to advance to the FA Cup semi-finals. On Sunday the two teams finished deadlocked at 3-3 after 120 minutes of riveting action at the Den. Tonight?s replay is scheduled for BAA Field, kick-off 8 p.m.

lIn yesterday?s match report of the FA Cup game between Somerset Trojans and Ireland Rangers it was stated that Rangers? Jermaine Burrows was sent off for use of foul language. He was, in fact, sent off for a second bookable offence ? handling the ball in the penalty area. We apologise for the error.