Hamilton Parish 2

Somerset Trojans 1

An impossibly miserable season could end with Hamilton Parish sipping champagne from the FA Cup trophy.

Yes, it's true - just ask Somerset Trojans - the Hot Peppers incredibly blazed their way yesterday to a showdown against North Village for the coveted title on April 10 - the club's first-ever appearance on the National Sports Centre's carpet.

The unheralded East End club, who languish at the foot of the First Division standings with just two victories in 14 matches - both because opponents fielded ineligible players - and who suffered the indignity of having their last match abandoned due to insufficient players, romped into the FA Cup crescendo on the crest of a comeback 2-1 triumph over highly-fancied Trojans.

Southampton Oval reverberated with shockwaves as a team comprised primarily of Commercial ‘B' footballers with an affinity for drinking - and with defenders resembling veteran National Football League (NFL) linebackers - defeated more youthful Premier Division rivals boasting national-squad selectees.

“I can hardly put this into words. I feel great,” declared Peppers' inspirational captain Irving Burgess as a mass of Parish supporters descended on the team's dressing room to celebrate.

Player/coach Ernest (Joe) Lathan was overwhelmed by the outcome, stating: “I couldn't ask for anything more from my team today. These guys, especially the older ones, had faith.

“This is going to be a whole different FA Cup (final). Trust me, you don't want the Peppers up there at the stadium. We can't wait!”

Next door was a stark contrast as shell-shocked Somerset - themselves struggling to stay alive in the top flight - came to terms with the upset loss and the reality that their silverware chase was over for another year. Coach Dennis Brown and company disappeared with the speed of dust being sucked into a vacuum cleaner.

Their hurt and disbelief was understandable as Trojans dominated possession in both halves, firing shot after shot at Parish's hero and goalkeeper Nigel Burgess who came up with a succession of miraculous saves to keep his side in the game. The 24-year-old's efforts, coupled with the experienced if rotund presence of greying heads Chris Caisey Sr, Johnny Bean and John Nicol - a cousin of New England Revolution coach Steve Nicol whose team toured here last week - proved decisive.

Except for a short, violent mini-storm early in the first half, which further saturated the already muddy turf and heightened the challenges of ball control, there were few memorable moments prior to the break.

However, sparks began flying from the start of the second half as Trojans sought to capitalise on their sustained pressure. Meanwhile, Hot Peppers were creating the odd surprise, particularly on the counter-attack where ace trio Irving Burgess, Sean Dill and Corey Hill were linking ominously.

In the 63rd minute, Trojans were fortunate when Bean's clean tackle on forward Stephen Astwood, as he bore down on goal, was penalised by referee George O'Brien. Fellow striker Rohaan Simons put the West End outfit ahead 1-0 from the spot.

Somerset's smiles lasted just four minutes though as Parish equalised when Dill nudged home a rebound in a goalmouth scramble after Irving's shot was initially rejected by Figureido.

At 1-1 it was anybody's game and Trojans steamed in at Nigel Burgess hard, forcing him into some stunning point-blank work as well as saving long-range missiles from a frustrated Astwood.

In the 77th minute, the unfathomable happened as Hot Peppers took the vital 2-1 lead, thanks to Hill's smart backheel to Irving on the right of goal. Parish's captain motored forward and drilled the ball neatly past a skidding Figureido's left foot. Hill almost caused an uproar soon after when his curled left-foot shot ricocheted off Trojans' crossbar with their keeper woefully beaten.

Nigel Burgess - who has faithfully flown home from Howard University for his team's last three FA Cup matches - then shut the door on Trojans with more goalkeeping fireworks as Dwight Basden and substitute Anthony Webb missed out on clear-cut opportunities.

“I knew we had a chance (to win) and I tried to be more aggressive in the second half and take control of the box,” said Nigel, who returns to his Masters studies today but who pledged to be back between the uprights on April 10.

“I arrived yesterday (Saturday) and it was a trip well worth it. I'm very excited about the final and I'll definitely be here.”

In the earlier women's FA Cup semi-finals, Bisys Royals blanked Dandy Stars 3-0, compliments of goals by Denise Ward, skipper Chantal Hadall and Beth Rae in the 28th, 61st and 87th minutes.

“We're very pleased and looking forward to a good final against Rude Girls,” said Hadall.

Hamilton Parish: N.Burgess, J.Nicol, J.Bean, C.Caisey Sr, E.Lathan (D.Burgess, 58 mins), B.Outerbridge, L.Robinson (L.Butterfield, 84 mins), L.Raynor, I.Burgess, S.Dill, C.Hill.

Somerset Trojans: T.Figureido, R.Scott, S.Riley, K.Roberts, D.Minors, D.Rahman (A.Webb, 79 mins), J.Scott, D.Outerbridge, S.Astwood, C.Moulder (D.Basden, 12 mins), R.Simons.

Yellow cards: L.Robinson, J.Bean (Hamilton Parish); J.Scott (Somerset).

Men of the Match: N.Burgess (Hamilton Parish); J.Scott (Somerset).

Referee: George O'Brien.