A Heys Wolfe beauty was enough to dump the defending champs out of the Dudley Eve Trophy last night.

In a game short on chances but increasingly high in energy, it took a rocket from the left foot of the Cougars supersub to separate the teams and set up a showdown with North Village at Wellington Oval on Monday.

In a similar way to banned strike partner Raymond Beach ? who came off the bench for a festive scoring spree last year ? Wolfe made the difference with practically his first touch after joining the fray during the break at Somerset Cricket Club.

The first 25 minutes of last night?s encounter didn?t fully resemble a vital elimination match, neither team playing with their usual urgency ? perhaps too much cassava pie was to blame for the lethargy that saw neither team create chances of any substance.

The best part of 2,000 turned out for the final football of a frenetic 2005 and there was little for them to cheer about although Michael Parsons got the biggest cheer of the opening 30 minutes, curling a wicked drive towards the Cougars goal which whirled past the upright.

Town began to take control before the break, with Carlos Smith looking his typically dangerous self, Brendon Minors lobbing in his enormous throw-ins and the Hornets midfield now almost completely under their control.

The lanky Lashun Dill nearly broke the deadlock, firing just wide after some imperious control by Smith ? who then came close himself just before the break.

Cougars best outlet, as so often during Beach?s prolonged enforced absence, was Domico Coddington, offering his usual tricks and wizardry down the left wing.

The second half started in similar fashion, neither team quite moving into top gear and then it happened ? Wolfe intervened.

Somewhat against the run of play, Cougars went on the attack down the left and a deep, hanging cross was sent over to the far post.

Lurking there unmarked was Wolfe, only on the field for seven minutes, who wound up a truly delightful left foot volley which fizzed unstoppably low into the net.

The strike did little to spark Town to life, and even with Devarr Boyles throwing Chris Anderson, Wolde Place and Seion Darrell into the fray to try and save the day, Cougars were now in control

Boyles? men were looking listless and uncharacteristically lacking in direction, the comeback looking increasingly unlikely.

It was nearly all over with 17 minutes left on the clock but a linesman?s flag denied Cougars a second for a foul on the ?keeper when Aljame Zuill forced the ball into the Town net.

Andrew Bascome?s men tightened the screw and remained in control during the game?s final minutes to shut out Town and earn a place in another final and another showdown with Village ? the team who beat them in the tournament?s opening game.

Town: J. Smith, E. Signor, M. Lowe, B. Minors, K. Mundy, A. Thomas (W. Place, 65 mins), O. Steedel, M. Parsons (S. Darrell, 55 mins), S. Tuzo (C. Anderson, 55 mins), L. Dill, C. Smith.

Cougars: R. Brangman, O. Butterfield, J. Deshields, I. Mallory, N. Robinson, K. Bean, J. Butterfield, K. Steede, D. Coddington, L. Brangman (H. Wolfe, 45 mins), A. Zuill.

Yellow cards: K. Mundy, M. Lowe (Town)

Men of the match: M. Lowe (Town) D. Coddington (Cougars)

Referee: Granville Bennett

A Jade? Foggo strike nine minutes from time was enough to earn Herbie Bascome?s men a home cup final tie with Wolves.

Up until the 81st minute it had been a strangely dispassionate affair with neither side playing with any urgency and looking hugely indifferent as to whether or not they would join Wolves in Monday?s final at Wellington Oval.

If anyone had the edge, it was the Lions with Dion Stovell and Yusaff Pitt looking the liveliest.

Chances were at a premium and the game appeared to be dragging towards extra time until Foggo managed to fire past the ?keeper?s left-hand post.

He then instantly became the fourth player to enter the referee?s book after taking his shirt off in celebration ? and then a minute later Stovell saw red after kicking out at an opponent.

Bascome?s men now have two days to fire themselves up for the festive competition?s climax.