North Village 4

Devonshire Colts 2

Skipper Ralph Bean (pictured above) helped himself to a brace against a defensively shaky Devonshire Colts to book North Village's place in the Friendship Trophy final.

Rams took an early lead at the Rec. last night through midfielder Martin Godley whose sweet volley from distance whistled past keeper Khabir Dill and into the top corner.

But Colts, still smarting from their seven-goal massacre at the hands of near neighbours Cougars, were awarded a penalty when Kofi Dill was adjudged to have handled in the box.

Much to the dismay of the Colts faithful Aljame Zuill saw his weak spot-kick foiled by keeper Zane Hendrickson who dived low to his right.

It was not long however, before talisman Zuill made amends for his miss with a predatory flick beyond the on rushing Hendrickson to level.

Ray Jones' men then nudged ahead with Clevon Hill the chief beneficiary of woeful keeping by Hendrickson who spilled a routine Ryan Purnell free-kick from deep.

The keeper's error presented Hill with a simple chance with the midfielder sliding the ball in from close range.

Village's players must have been read the riot act by coach Elliott Jennings at half-time and were much improved after the break, levelling early on through Bean who headed home Robert Wilson's cross.

The goal seemed to visibly shake Colts' confidence and it was no surprise when Rams regained their advantage when Darren Williams rose above Colts' aerial challenged defence to head beyond Dill.

Bean was then denied by a point-blank save from Dill, but did manage to put the game out of reach of a weary looking Colts by converting directly from a corner kick.

Village will now look to add the Friendship Trophy to the Dudley Eve Trophy they lifted earlier this season.