against each other in yesterday's semi-final draw, leaving former next door neighbours Devonshire Colts and Devonshire Cougars to battle for the other spot in the April final.

Vasco disposed of two-time defending champions Boulevard on Sunday and are firm favourites for a fifth FA Cup triumph, seemingly the team the others preferred not to meet.

"Not particularly,'' Colts captain Shannon Burgess disagreed. "We probably would rather get Vasco the way my team is. We play better against teams like that. "Cougars will be just as much of a challenge because of the rivalry that exists as being neighbours. Playing against Cougars from Mini Minors up, there has always been the rivalry there.'' Colts and Cougars, winners over Dandy Town and Southampton Rangers, will meet in the first semi-final on March 1 at Bernard Park while Village and Vasco will clash at White Hill on March 15.

Colts were last in the final in 1993 when they lost to Boulevard while Cougars reached the 1995 final when they went down to Vasco who also won in 1994. They now have the opportunity to make up for not retaining their league crown by finishing the season with two appearances in finals. It is Vasco whom they will meet in the semi-final of the Friendship Trophy on Thursday.

"Not being able to win the league took a lot from my players and you saw it in the last couple of weeks, but yesterday's win could help us to bounce back,'' added Burgess.

"The season could still be successful, depending on how these results go.'' Cougars, judging by recent results, will certainly be difficult opponents and they have Burgess' respect for the way they have turned their season around.

"They have a good team,'' he said. "At the beginning of the season they picked up a few key signings to make them a strong team and their position in the league isn't something we should look at. Man for man it can be a tough game if they step it up and we don't.'' Both Vasco and Village failed to reach the semi-finals last season after going out in the quarter-final round to Second Division teams. But both were successful on Sunday and should produce a good match.

North Village midfielder Damon Wade is resting comfortably in hospital after suffering a broken leg in Sunday's win over Wolves in the FA Cup. Wade underwent surgery on Sunday night, a hospital spokesperson confirmed yesterday.

Wade was involved in a collision with team-mate Michael Hansey as both pounced on a loose ball after a shot from Nakia Smith had come back off the post in the second half.