A Chris Anderson hat-trick plus a contribution from veteran Carlos Smith yesterday brought smiles back to Dandy Town faces which have hardly been happy this Christmas.

The Hornets clinically demolished Somerset Eagles 4-0 at Southampton Oval to snag an opportunity to advance to the Champions Cup final in tomorrow?s last elimination game against PHC. The winner of that clash meet the rampant Devonshire Cougars in Sunday?s showdown.

Town would have welcomed the good form shown by several players as they sought to shake off the sadness triggered by defender Randy Swan?s death as well as to allay fears that their recent run of poor results was becoming a habit.

Against opponents who barely fielded a full line-up and who seemed more in the mood for seasonal merriment than for a serious title hunt, Town took some time to get going but looked the better of the two teams from the start.

Eagles, as they so often do, flattered to deceive and, after some early, promising build-ups around the Hornets net, never appeared likely to worry Cymande Davis; Town?s custodian a spectator for much of the second half.

At the other end, however, Marcel Dill?s lot was much different as the relief Somerset keeper ? who normally patrols the midfield ? defiantly strayed from his line on at least half-dozen occasions in an attempt to help his side. Once, he wove a path right to his opposite number and was then forced to scamper back before Town could capitalise on the gaping goal the way kids would seize advantage of a hole in Santa?s sack.

Despite their inability to make Dill pay for his adventurous wanderings, Town calmly put the outcome beyond issue early in the second half.

Already holding a 1-0 at the break ? compliments of Anderson?s 27th-minute header from just outside the left post ? they widened their margin of victory periodically throughout the latter 45 minutes; the fourth goal in the 87th minute a penalty to earn hard-working Anderson a deserved hat-trick.

The 28-year-old, who has proven his worth in various positions, combined well with Smith, Jared Peniston and Lashun Dill during the match to create countless goal-bound advances. Town?s initiative in attack was well supported by a sterling midfield effort, particularly by skipper Lionel Furbert and newcomer Jacqui Simons whose well-executed corners must be a pleasing revelation for coach Devarr Boyles.

It was from one such corner that Anderson notched his second goal and the team?s third in the 70th minute as the ball made its way through a thicket of players for the marksman to side-foot it home from close range with his right boot.

Smith had put the Hornets 2-0 up in the 52nd minute with a calm header from Lashun Dill?s chip into the box from the right after Peniston again worked persistently to set up the play. As he celebrated, the Hornets stalwart lifted his jersey to reveal a white T-shirt with a personal tribute to Swan; ?Number 16 Rest In Peace?.

Playing with a zeal that suggested the match was about more than Yuletide bragging rights, Town could have left Southampton with many more goals to their credit but poor execution and timely interventions by Sean Simmons and Desmond Burgess thwarted them. There were also moments of brilliance by keeper Dill on the odd occasion that he remained between the uprights.

Still there was almost palpable relief and joy within the Hornets camp when the final whistle came as if to say ?We?ve done it?. A minute?s silence before the start and black arm bands were obvious outward tributes to their late colleague but winning ? and doing so in an impressive fashion which Swan would have applauded ? was an even greater salute to the full back who died last week after suffering head injuries in a car crash outside the very venue at which they were playing.

?We?ve been through a bad spell but it?s time for a change,? said hat-trick hero Anderson, summing up the team?s sentiments afterwards.

Regarding his part in the day?s success, the 28-year-old indicated he was simply following orders.

?I got a chance to play up top and I put the ball in the back of the net. My coach said he needed someone else to score and he picked me,? noted Anderson, adding he would relish more opportunities in attack.

Boyles, in his trademark understated way, hailed his players? ?good performance? and lauding the Anderson-Smith union as ?refreshing?.

?There was good movement and the link play was quite good. Jared and Lashun were always threats. We had penetration on the flanks and that resulted in a lot of goal-scoring opportunities,? said Boyles.

The coach added that Anderson?s three goals were ?a bonus? which emphasised that the latter still has the ability to be a top striker; a role he previously held in the team before being shifted to left back.

?It presents us with another option depending on the way games go,? noted the coach, declaring his men to be ?getting better and better with each match?.

By contrast, Eagles frustrations ? with only two reserves to call on ? were numerous and sparked sporadic outbursts from players and management alike.

Another lacklustre display was characterised by forward Adolphus Lambert?s half-time tantrum, aimed at his team-mates.

?What, I got to grow dreads to get the ball?? he exclaimed in exasperation as he marched to the dressing room, demanding ? to no avail ? to be substituted.

Somerset, summoned from Christmas shopping and party-going at the 11th-hour to compete in this tournament following three other teams? disinterest, showed why they constantly languish at the foot of Premier Division soccer and, barring a rapid about-turn, are likely to stay there.

In the First Division Champions Cup, St. George?s beat neighbours St. David?s 2-0 to advance to play Prospect tomorrow night for a place in the final.

David Signor and Allan Douglas Jr scored in the 50th and 65th minutes respectively for the winners. C.Davis, J.Marshall (K.Hurdle, 15 mins), K.Mundy, D.Zuill, B.Minors, L.Furbert, J.Simons, J.Peniston (A.Evans, 65 mins), L.Dill, C.Smith (W.Place, 70 mins), C.Anderson. M.Dill, S.Worrell, D.Burgess, E.Greenwood, M.Hollis, M.Butterfield (I.Raynor, 69 mins), S.Simmons, A.Lambert, L.Crofton, R.Wilson, D.Dowling. L.Dill (Dandy Town); M.Hollis (Somerset). C.Anderson/L.Furbert (Dandy Town); D.Burgess (Somerset).G.O?Brien.