be a tremendous achievement for Dandy Town who have been hit by player problems this season.

Town had an injury scare last weekend when left-back Burton Bruce sustained a knee injury that required hospital treatment.

Bruce said this week that he is hopeful of recovering in time to play in his first final. If he does not, Pernell Douglas looks like being the man to switch to the left-back spot.

Town have called on two college students in their bid to land the FA Cup for only the second time. Defender Neil Paynter, who was their man of the match in the semifinal win over Boulevard, is returning from Old Dominion along with Paul Cann who will boost the team's attack, giving coach Calderon the luxury of deciding between him, Carlos Smith, Lionel Cann, and Ricky Mallory for his front line.

It is in these two vital departments that Town's hopes of victory will hinge, as they try to contain a potent PHC attack led by Kyle Lightbourne and Sammy Swan and then create and take chances of their own at the other end in order to keep the pressure on their opponents.

"Neil is definitely coming back and he will definitely play sweeper,'' Calderon said. "We just have to decide who will mark. We want to minimise PHC's chances because they take their chances well.'' Town have experimented, with mixed results, with a five-man defensive formation this season. One of the decisions to be made is whether to retain Troy Durham in the heart of the defence alongside Paynter and Wayne Campbell or choose between Durham and Campbell.

"It has its obvious advantages but it doesn't provide you with as many attacking options,'' Calderon said of the five-man defence.

Calderon has seen enough of the Zebras this season to know where their main threat lies.

"You recognise the strength of their team and clearly Sammy and Kyle are the people you have to take care of,'' Calderon added. "Still, they have Kevin Dill in set pieces, `Coe' Trott, who's a very under-rated player, and Baldy Ming.'' Calderon put team discipline before results earlier in the season in a bid to rebuild the team, not just for this season but for seasons to come. Wayne Campbell was dropped for his conduct and lately the Martin brothers, Kris and Kurt, have been missing. Calderon confirmed that neither of the Martins are part of his plans for the final.

"The foundation has been laid,'' Calderon said. "Dandy Town has been through more coaches than any other First Division team in the last 10 years, with people like Gary Darrell, Curly (Leroy Wilson), Rock (Roger Leverock), Danny (Seymour) and myself and that's not exactly continuity like PHC have had with Nibs (Lewis).'' Calderon saw the changes as necessary and hopes to return for a second year next season so as to complete the job he and assistant Mark Trott have started.

"PHC did it 10 years ago and it's harder to do when you're on top,'' he said.

"It's starting to come good for us now. It takes a coach more than one season to recognise who's loyal and who's not loyal.'' Considering the problems experienced this season, Calderon agrees winning the FA Cup would be the perfect end to the season. The club failed to lure Kenny Hill from relegated Wolves -- he opted for Boulevard instead -- and Lionel Cann, Carlos Smith, Ricky Mallory and Paul Cann have all had abbreviated seasons for one reason or another.

Lionel Cann started the season late and it was his goal that got Town past Boulevard in the semifinal while Mallory and Smith both have had injury problems.

"With the likes of Lionel Cann, Carlos, Ricky and Paul Cann we feel very confident of unlocking any defence in Bermuda,'' said Calderon.

"But there's no sense creating chances if you can't put those chances away.

Our spirits are high but I don't want any player going with me to National Stadium who doesn't think we can win this game.

"When we didn't get Kenny Hill, with Paul going away to school and Lionel, Carlos and Ricky in and out, it was never on the cards to have a good season.

We thought a middle-of-the-table finish and picking up a trophy would be realistic especially with the problems, which needed to be ironed out.

"To win the FA Cup would be a tremendous season when you consider we have only won the league once and the FA (Cup) once.'' POINTING TO THE FUTURE -- Coach Robert Calderon, pictured at left with assistant Mark Trott, has had to instill much-needed discipline at Dandy Town this season.