Devonshire Cougars 2

Somerset Trojans 0

Somerset Trojans took on tradition last night at the Den ? and lost.

Playing at a venue that has humbled the best of Trojans squads over the decades, history would repeat itself as an Aljame Zuill brace breathed life into Cougars? Dudley Eve hopes before a sold out house at the Den last night.

Although the game itself failed to live up to its potential, Andrew Bascome?s men did just enough to keep a Trojans side that never shifted out of first gear out of their comfort zone.

And after Zuill had put the match well and truly beyond their opponent?s reach, Somerset suffered a double whammy as temperamental midfielder Jelani (Roots) Butterfield was condemned to an early shower when he was red carded for hurling foul language at linesman Anthony Mouchette amid Cougars? celebrations.

Zuill converted in the 43rd and 83rd minutes to propel last year?s beaten finalists through to tomorrow?s clash against cross town rivals and defending cup holders Dandy Town at Somerset Cricket Club.

Last night?s defeat was also Trojans second straight loss at the same venue in five days and second defeat at the hands of Cougars this season.

Somerset were marginally the better team in the early going as Cougars took time to shake off the Christmas turkey and cassava pie.

Yet their forwards struggled to find their way to goal, a 22nd minute Jelani Scott deflection that gave Ricardo Brangman a little spot of bother proved to be the closest they came to scoring in the opening half.

And as the visitors game gradually deteriorated as time progressed, Cougars? confidence continued to grow in leaps and bounds.

First Zuill gave an ominous warning of impending danger when his delicate flick fell into the safe arms of Timmy Figureido and then the Cougars? poacher nodded just wide of the post during a counterattack that caught Somerset flatfooted at the back.

Next up was young winger Lamont Brangman who hurried a shot over the bar and Domico Coddington who brought the crowd scrambling to their feet when he cleverly redirected a shot with the outside of his boot onto the upright with Figureido stranded in no-man?s land.

Having created the better chances, Cougars? perseverance finally paid off two minutes before the break when Coddington ? who elevated his game up a notch or two after the break ? was sent sprawling inside the box by David Outerbridge, lucky not to have received a second yellow card for the offence.

Amid the pulsating sounds of drums and chants, Zuill made no mistake with the resulting kick, tucking his effort inside Figureido?s right post to give his team a deserved lead at the break.

It was an ending to half that was otherwise just as eventful as watching paint dry, particularly during the opening half hour when both teams were guilty of committing unforced errors and turnovers.

Trailing by just one, Trojans still had everything to play for in the second half.

And crafty midfielder Adolphus Lambert nearly gave the West Enders the start to the second half they were looking for when he combined with Dwight Basden and the resourceful Aaron Williams.

But with the goal partially obscured, Lambert sliced his shot high and wide while Cougars? sub Heys Wolfe returned the favour at the other end by skying Kwame Steede?s defence-splitting pass into the crowd.

With Cougars back trio Omar Butterfield, Ijahmon Mallory and Jeremy DeShields putting up the shutters and Wolfe, Steede, Neil (Diamond) Robinson, Coddington and Zuill running tirelessly up front, the home team managed to maintain a slight edge over the opposition.

And this persistence would again pay off seven minutes from time when Wolfe controlled a Joshua Butterfield punt in midfield and fed a now fired up Coddington down the right flank.

After dribbling into space and drawing Figureido off his line, Coddington unselfishly squared the ball in the middle to leave Zuill with the simple task of slotting into an empty net.

Trojans? night then went from bad to worse when Butterfield was shown red for dissent to effectively put the finishing touches to another disappointing night of football Somerset deputising coach Paul Scope might quickly want to forget.

Devonshire Cougars: R.Brangman, O.Butterfield, J.DeShields, I.Mallory, N.Robinson, K.Steede (capt), J.Dill, J.Butterfield, L.Brangman (H.Wolfe, 50 mins), D.Coddington, A.Zuill (D.Eve, 88 mins).

Somerset Trojans: T.Figureido, D.Outerbridge (V.Blanchette, 60 mins), M.Dill, S.Simmons, D.Minors, J.Scott (capt), J.Butterfield, A.Williams, D.Basden (T.Sousa, 9 mins), Q.Aberdeen (L.Crofton, 55 mins), A.Lambert.

Yellow cards: J.Dill, A.Zuill (Cougars); D.Outerbridge, Dwight Basden (Somerset).

Red cards: J. Butterfield (Somerset)

Men of the match: A.Zuill (Cougars); A.Williams (Trojans).

Referee: George O?Brien.