Devonshire Cougars coach Mark Mills can hardly wait for his team’s Dudley Eve Trophy final with St George’s Colts.

The Premier Division rivals are set to square off for the first time in the final of the competition on November 7 at a venue to be confirmed after prevailing against PHC Zebras and Dandy Town on penalties in a semi-final double header at Bernard Park on Wednesday night.

“I am looking forward to it and it will be a really good game of football; two football- playing teams that like to play the ball between the lines,” the former Cougars midfielder told The Royal Gazette.

Mills is also looking forward to pitting his tactical skills against former Cougars team-mate and St George’s counterpart Drewonde Bascome on the touchline in what promises to be an explosive final. The duo also serve together on the coaching staff at FC Bascome.

“The coach [Bascome] is my colleague. We have been working together at the academy for a couple of years so it’s going to be a real intense match,” Mills said. “It’s going to be like a chess match and I am looking forward to it.”

Both coaches are in their first season in charge at their respective clubs and will be keen to earn some silverware at the earliest opportunity.

“This will be my first final at the helm alone, which feels good,” Mills said.

“As always this is just for the club, community and the boys, and the job is not done yet.”

Cougars squandered a 1-0 advantage when they conceded in second-half stoppage time against PHC on Wednesday night but held their nerve when it mattered most to come out on top in the penalty shoot-out.

“I was super disappointed to concede a goal so late and felt that our energy totally went out of the game,” he said. “They went right through the centre of us which was kind of easy and they like that.

“But we regrouped with the penalties and came out victorious.”

Cougars have three Dudley Eve Trophy titles under their belt while St George’s are making their first appearance in the final.

*Tonight’s Premier Division match between Devonshire Cougars and Young Men’s Social Club at Devonshire Recreation Club has been postponed and will be played at a later date to be confirmed.