Dandy Town 2 Dev.Cougars 0

On a day they probably already wanted to forget, Devonshire Cougars were last night booted out of another football competition.

This time, however, their agony played out on the field.

Dandy Town dashed any hopes Cougars harboured of reaching the Friendship Trophy final with a 2-0 victory over their city rivals in the semifinal at BAA Field.

The loss would have been all the more bitter for Cougars coming hours after learning their appeal against being expelled from the FA Cup had been rejected by the Bermuda Football Association's Appeals Committee.

Add to that a controversial first goal by Reggie Tucker, whom Cougars were adamant was offside, and it was clearly an unpleasant end to the day - and season - for the Cougars fraternity.

The Devonshire team never looked like the usually potent strike force they have been for much of their 2002/03 campaign. They lacked the spirit and vigour that has been the hallmark of their attack with the likes of Raymond Beach, Heys Wolfe and Mark Smith unable to get into stride and terrorise Town's goal in their accustomed manner.

Despite this inability they managed to keep Town - themselves guilty of some indifferent passing and shots - at bay for the first half. However, luck ran out in the latter session.

In the 65th minute, the ball was played forward to Tucker midway in Cougars' half and, as his opponents raised their arms and voices for an offside call, he motored forward on the left wing, cut inside and slotted past goalie Ricardo Brangman.

That shattered the already fragile Cougars and the 89th-minute strike by Town substitute Sri Wilson - set up from close range by a pass from Tucker - only deepened the distress.

A bit more focus on Town's part and the scoreline could well have been greater as Kevin Hurdle, Seyoum Tuzo and Lloyd Christopher all came close to increasing the tally.

By contrast, Town's custodian Jason Smith had an easy night between the uprights, being tested more by the windy conditions than by opposing players. His only serious scare was a Raymond Beach shot from close range in the second half which he fumbled and dropped before gathering at the second attempt as Cougars players prepared to pounce.

Town's coach Devarr Boyles was quietly pleased with the outcome and is eager to culminate this effort at the National Sports Centre against Somerset Eagles in the final.

"In the balance of play we were a shade better than them tonight. In the first half, I was concerned because, though we had the better of the exchanges, there was nothing to show for it at half-time," he said.

"In the second half we did a better job with the wind and we were patient and that patience paid off. It's been a long season and it would be nice to end it on a sunny day at the national stadium."

Meanwhile, it will be an east versus west battle for the First Division Shield.

Southampton Rangers booked their date against Hamilton Parish last night when they beat St.David's 2-0 at BAA Field.

Herbie Dillas scored in the 30th minute of the semifinal and Marlon Williams added Rangers' second goal in the 70th minute.

Hamilton Parish thumped Ireland Rangers 5-2 in the other semifinal on Tuesday.

Goalless at the break, two penalties from Damon Edwards set Parish on their way and Lorenzo Simmons and Desmond Crockwell made it 4-0 after 67 minutes.

However, Rangers staged a late rally and scored twice in two minutes through Mathyio Simons (85) and Jonathan Bean (87). But there was to be no great escape and Clevon Hill's 90th minute strike was the icing on the cake for Parish.