The curse of the Zebra lives on . . .

Since severing ties with PHC at the end of last season, Stephen Astwood has so far endured a disappointing time at new club Somerset Trojans.

Astwood was sent off on his debut for Trojans against Somerset Eagles last October and was then slapped by Bermuda Football Association with an additional five-match ban for his outburst during a disciplinary hearing stemming from the same match.

Then, just when it began to appear as though the international striker had put the worst behind him, he injured his right knee last Saturday night against Dandy Town during a second-half raid on goal and was subsequently substituted.

The player later checked in at the hospital for x-rays.

Trojans coach Dennis Brown said Astwood?s second-half misfortune ultimately proved to be the real ?turning point? in his team?s 3-2 loss to Town.

?Stephen?s injury was a turning point because at that time we had them on the ropes. We got back into the game then gave away a silly goal,? said Brown yesterday.

?It really hasn?t been a good year for Stephen and I really feel for him. But that is how it goes sometimes and so he has to swallow the good along with the bad.

?I know he was disheartened on Saturday night because of the fact he hasn?t played much this year. But if things don?t work out this season then hopefully he will decide to hang around for next season.?

Saturday?s match saw Trojans courageously fight back after trailing by two goals midway through the opening half.

Brown?s half-time talk must have motivated his side as, after making an early substitution and reshuffling the deck, he watched as they stunned their opponents by drawing level in the space of a minute, only to concede a heart-breaking third goal later in the half.

Brown remains optimistic Astwood will make a speedy return to action.

?Hopefully his injury isn?t long-term but at this point in time he remains doubtful for Sunday?s match,? the coach added.

On a brighter note, Trojans striker Dion Stovell and midfielders David Outerbridge and Chris Moulder are now available for Sunday?s league clash with Southampton Rangers at Southampton Oval.

Astwood accounted for both of Trojans goals during the West Enders ? 2-0 win over the Sky Blues in the first league encounter at Somerset Cricket Club last October.

He became the first Zebra to transfer from the Warwick-based club to Trojans since Omar Shakir?s move three seasons ago. Shakir has since rejoined PHC.

In the past Astwood has undergone trials at Scottish Premier club Livingston and also with English clubs Portsmouth, Preston North End, Peterborough and Grimsby Town as well as a one-off run-out at Tottenham Hotspur.

FA Cup second round make-up fixtures take centre stage tonight with a double-header on tap at BAA Field.

At 7 p.m. Commercial outfit Key West Rangers take on First Division opponents Hamilton Parish while another Commercial team, MR Onions, lock horns with Premier Division Southampton Rangers at 9 p.m.

The FA Cup quarter-finals have now been moved from this Sunday to February 6.