With victory over Devonshire Cougars in the last round, Somerset Trojans’ chances of becoming the first club to clinch ten FA Cup titles just got better.

The West Enders are currently locked in a three-way tie with PHC Zebras and North Village for the most wins (nine) in the competition.

Trojans were the first club to record nine FA titles in 1990. But since then Zebras and Village have managed to draw level, the latter club having won five of their nine titles under three different coaches in the new millennium.

But with PHC and Village both eliminated from this year’s competition, Somerset find themselves in a good position to add to their illustrious cup-winning tradition.

Somerset coach Dennis Brown is mindful about what is now at stake but has opted to take the cautious route. “I’m not even looking that far yet as we have a big task with Boulevard ahead of that,” said the man who captained Trojans to their last FA Cup title in 1990.

Trojans face off against Blazers in the first FA Cup semi-final on April 8 at a venue yet to be decided — the sixth time the two clubs have clashed this season.

But before the West Enders can even begin dreaming about FA Cup glory, they must first deal with Sunday’s Friendship Trophy final against Cougars at the National Sports Centre. A victory for Brown’s men would see them draw level with PHC for the most wins in that competition (nine).

Sunday will mark Trojans first appearance in the Friendship final since 1995, and their fourth overall meeting with Cougars in a major cup final.

They defeated Cougars last January to lift a third overall Dudley Eve Trophy at Wellington Oval.

Somerset’s Friendship Trophy preparations, however, hit a bump in the road on Tuesday night at BAA Field where they suffered 3-0 a loss to Dandy Town. But Brown wasn’t too concerned by that result yesterday. “We weren’t worried about that. And that’s why I went with some of our younger and lesser experienced players,” he said.

Trojans and Cougars have seen lots of each other this season, probably too much for Brown’s liking. “Everybody is fit and ready and prepared for Sunday,” he added. “And the players all know what is expected of them and are raring to go.”