Somerset 2 Dandy Town 1 (Somerset win 3-2 on aggregate) The cupboards are no longer bare and the ghosts of recent failures have been exorcised.

And while not quite ready to be renamed `Silver City', Somerset has returned to the arena of champions.

This was confirmed in the best possible manner before an overflow crowd at St.

David's on New Year's Day when the young Trojans -- aptly dubbed Josef's Juniors after head coach Josef Gooden -- defeated a more experienced Dandy Town, the defending champions, in the final leg of the Dudley Eve Trophy.

Rodney Bascome, enduring an uncharacteristically lean season, picked the perfect time to emerge from the doldrums, notching the winning tally 10 minutes from time to the glee of team-mates and fans.

The shifty forward received the loudest cheers at the end as Somerset received their winners' medals and the gleaming silver trophy.

With the hiss and boom of Bob Marley and chants of "Somerset!, Somerset!'' in the background for the prize presentation, St. David's became a symphony of celebration.

"It was long overdue for me to score. Everybody wanted me to score so that's what I went out and tried to do,'' said an elated Bascome, whose last goal came on October 16 during a 3-1 victory over Devonshire Cougars.

"Everyone kept telling me to stand firm, even though the balls weren't falling for me in the first half. I hung in there and I got it, we got it, in the end.'' Nicknamed "The Key'', Bascome unlocked the championship door that Somerset had been unable to pry loose for two years, with their last triumph ironically having come in the same competition in 1993.

The winning goal came from a well designed set-piece, when a long throw-in from deep on the left side by Randy Simmons was nodded on by substitute Jerry (Chocolate) Webb and met at the far post by an unmarked Bascome, who headed the ball home from two yards out.

However, Somerset did not always have their way in what was a competitive, but not exactly the most thrilling match of the competition.

For the first time in this season's tournament the West Enders were forced to come from behind, as a blatant error by normally reliable goalkeeper Andre Hendrickson in the 32nd minute allowed Town to take the lead.

Hendrickson comfortably received a back pass from centre-back Jermaine Burrows, but with an open Sean Simmons appealing for the ball on the right, Hendrickson elected to attempt a big boot up-field. His decision proved disastrous as the kick rebounded off the side of a charging Darron (Duke) Simons and trickled into goal.

Somerset had moments earlier muffed two chances to score with defender Paul Place off target with both of his efforts.

In the 26th minute Place, overlapping from his position at right back, first rose high above the defence to connect with a glancing header off a Randy Simmons free kick that sailed wide to the left. Two minutes later a similar scenario evolved as he thundered another shot off his head, this time wide to the right following a corner by Reggie Tucker.

Town went into the half with a deserved advantage. Their defence had been reasonably solid, the midfield was working well, while the double striker combination of Carlos Smith and Simons served to stretch the opposing defence.

Coach Gooden and assistant Dennis Brown worked to make necessary adjustments at the break, including the move to have speedy Lamaul Crofton play right wing, but no-one could plan for the injury that forced out Town captain Lloyd Christopher 10 minutes into the second half, which ultimately proved the turning point of the match.

Christopher hobbled off with a damaged left leg to be replaced by Don Lewis and Somerset took full advantage of the absence of his leadership and defensive skills.

The equaliser came quickly when in the 60th minute Bascome sent in a cross from the right that goalkeeper Anthony Manders parried away but only as far as Place, who fired past the hapless 'keeper toward goal. In desperation defender Wayne Campbell handled the ball and referee Rex Osborne made no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

Duane DeRoza calmly slotted the ball into the low left corner and the Trojans were back in business.

From then it was Somerset who dominated play.

The infusion of Webb, a forward, for Place added impetus to the attack and this was evidenced by the former's role in the decisive score.

Town had little to say at the end, with caretaker coach Roger Leverock declining to comment on his side's performance. Skipper Christopher, however, was more revealing.

"I feel that in the first half we were linking well as a team, but in the second we began to break down a bit and just weren't able to play how we wanted to,'' said Christopher, who noted that there was still the likes of the League, Friendship Trophy and FA Cup available. Town are also defending league and Friendship champions.

Meanwhile, Gooden expressed delight at what was his first major trophy as coach.

"It's a nice feeling for me and the team,'' he said. "They worked hard at the Christmas break and deserved this reward.'' Somerset: A.Hendrickson; D.DeRoza, S.Simmons, J.Burrows, A.Rahman, P.Place (J.Webb 62 mins); R.Simmons, S.Arorash, R.Tucker; R.Bascome, L.Crofton.

Dandy Town: A.Manders; W.Rudo, G.Wilson, W.Campbell, L.Christopher (D.Lewis 55 mins); P.Douglas, T.Lewis, R.Parsons, A.Russell (K.Martin 74 mins); C.Smith, D.Simons.

Referee: Rex Osborne.

Men of the Match: Lamaul Crofton (Somerset), Ross Parsons (Dandy Town).