North Village 4

Devonshire Cougars 1

A second-half goal blitz saw North Village sweep aside ten-man Devonshire Cougars at Wellington Oval to book a place in the final of the Premier's Dudley Eve Trophy.

Rams survived a scare midway through the first half with keeper Jason Williams stopping Kwame Steede's spot-kick after Tyrell Burgess clumsily bundled over Domico Coddington in the box.

But substitute Keith Jennings started the rout straight after the break, pouncing on a half-cleared cross to hit a venomous volley into the bottom corner of the net.

Shayne Hollis doubled the lead shortly after firing home a right-wing cross from provider Keishen Bean, who then turned poacher, confidently sliding his shot past advancing 'keeper Clyde Darrell.

Cougars woes were compounded on 76 minutes when they were reduced to 10 men after Ijahmon Mallory, who was the final defender, hauled down Keishen Bean en route to goal. Mallory did not even wait for referee George O'Brien to confirm his dismissal, trudging straight down the tunnel as the Village faithful cheered on.

Just as Mallory's dismissal was inevitable, by now, so was Cougars defeat, although skipper Kwame Steede did provide some immediate solace, making the most of hesitant defending. Steede reacted quicky when a hopeful punt was not dealt with, rounding Williams before tapping home from close range.

But Cougars' capitulation was complete when the inspired Keishen Bean calmly finished to confirm Rams' final berth at Somerset Cricket Club on New Year's Day.

Coach Elliott Jennings hailed his side's lethal finishing and praised the performances of his clutch of collegiate players.

"We created chances and put them away," said Jennings. "It was a team performance and we should take plenty of confidence from it ahead of the final. If we can build upon this showing then we'll have good chance of winning.

"I thought the likes of Keishen Bean and Tyrell Burgess were once again excellent for us. Our college players have made a real difference for us since their return, especially in terms of their fitness and energy."

Jennings pointed out that his side was indebted to keeper Williams who pulled off an array of fine stops, including a breathtaking save from Steede's penalty. "Jason (Williams) was excellent and made some great saves," added Jennings. "Sometimes I feel he can seem almost too relaxed and is the sort of player who needs to be kept on his toes. I think he responds to competition for his jersey."

In fairness to Steede his spot-kick was not a bad one but Williams, who was in inspired form, hurled himself low to his right to tip the ball around the post. Williams also denied Domico Coddington with a superb reflex save when the score was 1-0, with the winger fluffing his shot from just yards out.

In yesterday's First Division's Dudley Eve semi-final Hamilton Parish beat Southampton Rangers 2-1. Jokia Fox opened the scoring for Parish, while Travis Wilkinson equalised for Rangers. Jamie Smith sealed the win in the 88th minute. Tomorrow PHC meet Dandy Town in the Dudley Eve at Devonshire Rec. at 9 p.m.

North Village: J.Williams, J.Dill (K.Jennings 25 mins), R.Wilson, D.Tankard, M.Hansey, S.DeGraff, T.Burgess (V.Tankard 76), S.Hollis, R.Bean, K.Bean.

Devonshire Cougars: C.Darrell, I.Mallory, R.Robinson, D.Cox, J.Butterfield, M.Steede, O.Butterfield, K.Tucker, (L.Brangman 58), K.Steede, T.Steede, D.Coddington.

Referee: George O'Brien

Sent off: I.Mallory

Yellow cards: Devrae Tankard, Robert Wilson, Randy Robinson (Village); Lamont Brangman (Cougars).

Men of the match: Jason Williams (North Village), Domico Coddington (Devonshire Cougars).