A sizzling Devonshire Cougars proved too hot for Dandy Town to handle in this Friendship Trophy clash at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

The Big Cats showed plenty of heart and character as they came from behind to knock Hornets completely off stride and put paid to any hopes Town might have had of appearing in a second straight Friendship Trophy final.

And even though this fast-paced match was fiercely contested, not once was eagle-eyed referee Anthony Mouchette called upon to reach into his pocket for a card to keep matters under control.

Hardly had the crowd settled before Town, Friendship Trophy runners-up to North Village last season, took the lead.

The goal arrived barely seconds into the match when a lack of communication between defenders Joshua Butterfield and Jeremy DeShield allowed Hornets striker McLee Smith to pounce on a loose ball and bury a shot to the left of Cougars? returning goalie Ricardo Brangman.

Yet before the euphoria of the moment had rubbed off, Cougars were back on even terms when skipper Kwame Steede smashed his penalty kick into the roof of the net after Ernest Signor had been blown for handling the ball in the box.

Both teams defended well, moved the ball about and created further chances during the remainder of the opening half, but would remain deadlocked at the break.

Hornets midfielder Michael Parsons was the recipient of a measured cross in the middle. However, the former Boulevard Blazer nodded wide when well positioned in the six-yard box. Mclee Smith, who troubled the Cougars defence with his pace and aggression, then directed a perfect cross into the middle that rolled across the goalmouth completely untouched.

At the other end Cougars? young winger Kor-Von Tucker blew past the Town defence, but shot inches wide of the far post, while Steede and Domico Coddington continued to chisel away.

The Big Cats? persistence finally paid off shortly after the restart as they struck twice during a magical ten-minute spell that ultimately knocked the wind from Town?s sails.

Teenage midfielder Randy Robinson, who along with other promising youngsters Ajani Gibbons and Chris Caisey jr, all displayed a level of maturity and confidence belying their age, continued to stamp their authority in the middle of the park and create space for their forwards to run into.

And it was Robinson who set up Cougars? eventual game winner right on the hour. Orchestrating in heavy traffic, Robinson fed Coddington who dribbled a few yards and then beat Town ?keeper Jason Smith with a thunderbolt at the far post.

With the pendulum now swinging heavily in their favour and Town beginning to show tell-tale signs of self-destruction, Cougars sharpened their claws and moved in for the kill.

This time it was Gibbons who fed Coddington on the left side with a clever pass which the national team player flicked into the bottom right hand corner of goal with the outside of his right boot.

Cougars? sub Mark Steede nearly made things real ugly for Town, now reduced to chasing ghosts. However, Hornets were spared further blushes when Steede?s last-minute goal was disallowed.

It was a victory Cougars thoroughly deserved and one that has now catapulted the 2004-05 Friendship champions through to the next round of the competition.: R.Brangman, J.Butterfield, I.Mallory, J.DeShield, A.Gibbons (M.Dolcott, 85 mins), C.Caisey (M.Steede, 70 mins), R.Robinson (K.Goddard, 85 mins), K.Tucker, K.Steede (capt), D.Coddington, D.Cox.: J.Smith, M.Campbell, D.Zuill, (S.Smith, 59 mins), E.Signor, C.Anderson, O.Steede, J.Watson (N.Wells, 65 mins) J.Peniston, M.Parsons, M.Smith, C.Smith.: R.Robinson (Cougars); E Signor (Hornets): Anthony Mouchette.

Paget Lions 4

St. David?s Warriors 2 (aet)

The Lions prevailed with a two-goal victory after extra-time at Southampton Oval.

Lions took the lead through a Yusef Pitt penalty early in the game but the East Enders responded with two strikes from skipper Angelo Cannonier.

A late goal from Nathan Simons, however, saw St. David?s level the score and force the game into extra-time.

Player-coach Marvin Belboda sealed victory for the Lions with two goals in the first half of extra-time to put the result out of reach of the tiring Warriors.