Somerset gained the revenge they so desperately sought in a snarling FA Cup grudge battle yesterday against St. George's.

Stung by last Sunday's shock 4-2 defeat, they seemed hell bent on smashing St.

George's cup chances.

And they achieved their ambitions with two quality second-half strikes from Larry Simmons and Dwight Basden.

Simmons scored with a superb header from a well-taken corner by his brother Kelly.

And in the dying minutes, striker Basden sealed the Trojans' day by deftly wrong-footing Troy Hall from around five yards.

For connoisseurs of the finer art of soccer, however, there was little to savour in this bruising confrontation.

There was too much at stake -- and too much bad blood between the teams -- for that too happen.

The game was only a few minutes old when the large crowd were treated to a series of disgraceful off-the-ball incidents.

Referee Gregory Belboda seemed in danger of losing control as fists flew behind his back.

In one incident, St. George's hero last Sunday, Clay Smith, no doubt provoked, apparently punched Dwight Basden.

The striker collapsed to the ground, clutching his stomach.

Moments later, however, Basden became the villain when he seemed to lash out at Duvall Smith.

The St. George's front man briefly left the field, with blood streaming from his face.

As Belboda conferred with his linesmen, the players were given a few minutes to cool off.

Amazingly the match restarted without a red card being shown.

Although the brawling had stopped, tension filled the Wellington Oval and the players had difficulty getting into their stride.

It was clear, however, Somerset's tactic of marking Clay Smith out of the game was paying off.

The striker only managed to look dangerous in fits and starts, as he was repeatedly treated to some crunching tackles.

As the second half got under way the Trojans' midfielders began to get the upper hand, forcing the play into St. George's half.

When Somerset snatched the lead in the 67th minute, it was just about deserved.

As the ball from the corner floated across St. George's penalty area, Larry Simmons ran in from the blind side to connect with a powerful header.

With Trojans enjoying more and more possession, it seemed only a matter of time before the second goal.

It came in the 87th minute when substitute Billy Kirkpatrick scampered down the left flank, and passed to Basden, who nudged the ball past an advancing Hall.

The striker was mobbed by dozens of young fans who streamed on to the pitch.

Jubilant Somerset coach Larry Hunt was afterwards keen to lay the ghost of last Sunday's defeat.

"The difference this time was attitude. We took our chances and we weren't complacent,'' he said.

Goal hero Basden had one message to Trojan fans and whoever else was listening: "We're back. We've proved we're the best.'' St. George's: T.Hall, D.Walker, D.Minors, P.Bailey, E.Basden. J.Cieters, M.Outerbridge, G.Foggo, C.Smith, D.Smith (S.Denbrook, 77 mins), P.Fubler (S.Smith, 45 mins).

Somerset: W.Williams, B.Simons, L.Simmons, P.Place, T.Dickinson, R.Simmons, R.Tucker, S.Morrissey, K.Simmons, R.Bascome (B.Kirkpatrick, 80 mins), D.Basden.

Referee: Gregory Belboda.

Men of the match: Earl Basden (St. George's); Winslow Williams (Somerset).

The draw for the quarter-final round will be held today at the BFA offices at noon.

CAN RANGERS RISE TO THE CHALLENGE? -- Janeiro Tucker, centre, and Lamar Seymour will do their best to make certain against Devonshire Colts on Sunday.

OH DE PAIN -- Duvall Smith is attended to by St. George's team-mates after he was felled by a blow thrown allegely by Somerset's Dwight Basden.