Somerset Eagles 1 North Village 3

Eagles left Prospect proud losers, satisfied that they made their heavily favoured opponents North Village sweat it out before winning their FA Cup semi-final yesterday.

Entering the contest as heavy underdogs against their Premier Division opponents, First Division Eagles were expected to have their wings clipped before being plucked and comprehensively eaten - but even Village's most loyal fans had to praise the west enders for refusing to cave in.

They went behind early after goals by Kentoine Jennings (penalty) and Clay Smith before Lamaul Crofton pulled one back.

But the result was finally put out of Eagles' reach when hardworking centre-back Desmond Burgess blotted his copy book by scoring an own goal late in the second half.

Losing finalists to Devonshire Colts last year, Village now meet Dandy Town in the final on April 7.

Thanks to Eagles' great fighting spirit the first half was like a Premier Division encounter with play see-sawing before Village took the lead on 10 minutes - Kentoine Jennings firing home from the spot after a foul by Darnell Pigney.

Inspired up front by Kevin Jennings, who menaced the defence throughout with his speed down the flanks, Village began to surge forward with confidence and came close to scoring again two minutes later. However, Jennings' volley from a Vernon Tankard cross sailed high over the goal from 12 yards.

Two minutes later Eagles were again under siege and their defence had to resort to making a desperate clearance after a Clay Smith free kick resulted in a goalmouth scramble.

But as the match wore on Eagles came more and more into the tie.

They may have equalised after 26 minutes but Darin Dowling's shot from 11 yards hit the post after he combined with Sean Dill.

However, the hard work was undone on 27 minutes.

Kevin Jennings swiftly moved in from the right and crossed for Clay Smith who rifled the ball home from ten yards.

Despite being two down, Eagles could still not be grounded. Instead they increased their output and a minute after Smith's goal Crofton scored from 11 yards.

With the deficit reduced the Eagles fans awoke and shouted encouragement to their side.

After 31 minutes left full-back Adolphus Lambert and Crofton combined but the promising build-up saw Dill finish by putting his shot just wide from 12 yards.

However, Village refused to be thrown off track by their opponents' endeavours and they had the Eagles' defence in another tangle after 32 minutes.

Both Clay Smith and Jamaul Boyles, within seconds of each other, had sensational scoring attempts foiled by some brilliant goal tending by Adrian Burrows.

The second-half could not live up to the first with Eagles best chance coming after 78 minutes when Dowling set up Rodre Wilson but the striker placed his shot wide from just inside the penalty box.

Nine minutes from time though came the goal that sealed the match. Tankard raced down the right flank and crossed only for Burgess to slice the ball into the goal.

Eagles: A.Burrows; D.Pigney (A.Philpott, 68 mins), D.Burgess, M.Hunt, A.Lambert; K.Simmons, S.Dean (I.Raynor, 68 mins), J.Butterfield; R.Wilson, J.Crofton, D.Dowling (S.Morrissey, 83 mins). Subs not used: Jermaine Davis, Nia Rawlins. Booked: K.Simmons, A.Lambert, D.Burgess.

North Village: Z.Hendrickson; J.Thomas, D.Thomas (K.Dill, 65 mins), Kent.Jennings, R.Spence; J.Boyles, M.Hansey, D.Warren (T.Outerbridge, 67 mins); Kev.Jennings, C.Smith (D.Coddington, 85 mins), V.Tankard. Subs not used: Dwayne Adams, Jason Davis. Booked: J.Thomas.

Men of the match: A.Lambert (Eagles); Kev.

Jennings (Village).

Referee: L.Raynor.

lRude Girls' Chevonne Furbert scored four goals in a 6-1 FA Cup semifinal win over Dandy Stars.

Tamisha Darrell and Juanita Smith also contributed to the rout, while Tina Wall scored Stars' consolation goal.