Devonshire Cougars 4 Southampton Rangers 2 (aet)

There was little doubt in the minds of those who were treated to a six-goal thriller at Devonshire Recreation Club yesterday just who is the man with the Midas touch in front of goal.

For the second time in as many outings, Cougars' key marksman Raymond Beach bagged four goals to carry the big cats through to the second round of the Friendship Trophy on his broad shoulders.

Since returning from suspension on October 17, Beach has scored at least one goal every time he's stepped out on to the pitch, remarkably netting 11 goals in only five appearances.

But the biggest unanswered question on the minds of many as they exited the grounds yesterday was why isn't one of the Island's most in form strikers not travelling to St.Vincent today with the national squad?

While that argument could continue well into the week, Beach left no doubt as to who's the man with the hottest scoring touch as the burly striker let his boots do all the talking on the pitch.

Beach netted in the tenth, 12th, 98th and 100th minutes as Cougars were pushed to the limit against a gutsy Rangers outfight that refused to bury their heads in the sand after going 2-0 down after only ten minutes.

Rangers also had Cougars to thank for at least keeping their hopes of an upset alive after 90 minutes of riveting action.

With Cougars firmly in the driving seat and heading for what appeared to be a comfortable win, Rangers were thrown a lifeline when a Reggie Lowe cross in the middle was handled in the box.

A composed Travis Wilkinson made no mistake with his spotkick as he wrong-footed 'keeper Ricardo Brangman and tucked his effort into the left-hand corner.

Pint sized forward Lowe then gave a cruel reminder that big things do in fact come in smaller packages as he lobbed a hapless Brangman from the edge of the 18 yard box in the 90th minute to send this cup tie into extra-time and under the floodlights. . . that is all but one pole which did not fire until the closing minutes.

Indeed, it began to appear as though Beach's hard work would go in vain as the momentum had now shifted heavily in Rangers' favour.

But that dream quickly became a nightmare as for the second time in the match, Beach struck twice within two minutes in the first period of added time with a little push, no pun intended, from their rivals.

As Kwame Steede waltzed his way toward goal, Rangers defender Donnie Charles appeared to shove Cougars' captain in the box. Beach, who had earlier skewed a few chances to notch his treble, seized the moment and sent Dwayne (Streaker) Adams the wrong way from the penalty spot while over on the sidelines Rangers coaching staff had some harsh words in store for linesman Wayne Campbell who persisted to signal with his flag after the referee had allowed play to continue.

But before the dust had settled, Beach struck again, only this time with the goal of the game. Hustling for possession deep in Rangers terrain, the irrepressible frontman seized possession of the ball; rode two tackles and then clipped the ball into the far corner past the advancing Adams to polish off yet another clinical display of marksmanship.

But what was even more astounding about Cougars' hard-fought win yesterday was the fact they achieved victory with a whole new-look team.

National team players Aljame Zuill and Domico Coddington were prohibited from playing through a Bermuda Football Association directive. However, youngsters Randy Robinson, Michael Doucet and Chris Caisey Jr. excelled in their absence while Kori Goddard returned from suspension and late transfer Artidell Tyrell produced a solid performance in midfield.

That Rangers were able to stretch their hosts to near breaking point owed much to the tireless running of midfielder Wilkinson, former Cougar Craig Darrell and the diminutive Lowe. But not even their solid performances couldn't swing the tide as the big cats saved the best for last and completely floored their opponents in prime time under the lights.

Devonshire Cougars: R.Brangman, S.Smith, D.Cox, J.Simmons, R.Swan, K.Goddard, O.Butterfield, A.Tyrell (J.DeShields, 77), K.Steede (capt), C.Caisey (R.Robinson, 86), R.Beach (M.Doucet, 111).

Southampton Rangers: D.Adams, P.Brangman, D.Charles, N.Grant (capt); (J.Charles, 59), K.Simmons (W.Raynor, 66), K.Richardson, T.Wilkinson, R.Lowe, K.Tucker (R.Simmons, 80), J.Tucker, C.Darrell.

Yellow cards: R.Swan, K.Goddard, J.DeShields (Cougars).

Men of the match: R.Beach (Cougars); R.Lowe (Rangers)

Referee: Granville Bennett.