Dandy Town secured the first semi-final spot in the Martonmere Cup last night at Devonshire Rec. and now can have a say in who joins them from Group B next week.

The Zebras have played their two matches and the one point they picked up against North Village on Tuesday night will only carry them through to the next round if Town beat Village by more than two goals next Tuesday at PHC Stadium.

Town's goals last night came early in the first half and late in the second as they secured a deserved win in their first competitive match of the season.

The strike pair of Darron (Duke) Simons and Carlos Smith caused the PHC defence some early problems before Simons opened his account in the 13th minute. Simons got on the end of a cross from the right following a throw-in and beat Antoine Lightbourne in the PHC goal with a firm header from about six yards.

PHC were denied equalisers midway through the half with, first, a weak shot from Kenny Mills and then when Shawn Simons scooped his effort well over the top from close range following a Roderick Lewis cross.

Simons did put the ball in the net in the 38th minute following a cross from the left by Sheridan Ming but the whistle went for offside just as Simons was connecting with his side-footer from close range.

With captain Kurt Martin, Lionel Furbert and debutant Reggie Tucker linking up well in midfield, Town enjoyed a fair share of possession, though they also were let down by some slack finishing.

Walter Musson, a second half substitute for Town, set up the clincher seven minutes from the end when he robbed his marker on the left corner and crossed for Martin to drive a low shot into the bottom corner.

Town lost both Furbert and Tucker late in the match to injuries, with the former Somerset captain taking a knock in the face earlier in the half which had to be bandaged. However, by then it was too late for PHC to stage a fightback as Town coasted to victory.

Dandy Town: A.Lightbourne; W.Rudo, M.Lowe, S.Morton, L.Christopher; K.Martin, R.Tucker (S.Whitter 90 mins), L.Furbert (G.Johnson 88 mins), S.Tuzo (W.Musson 67 mins), C.Smith, D.Simons.

PHC: E.Bean; P.Nesbitt (D.Burgess 63 mins), M.Wade, D.Outerbridge, B.Anderson (R.Lightbourne 50 mins), O.Steede, K.Mills, S.Ming, W.Trott, S.Simons.

Men of match: Lionel Furbert (Dandy Town), Ottis Steede (PHC).

Referee: George O'Brien.