Somerset Eagles 3

Hamilton Parish 2

Somerset Eagles coach Kenny Thompson was a happy man after his team made history with their extra-time victory over Hamilton Parish in the FA Cup semi-final at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

A brace from Troy Tucker and a solo strike from Antwan Russell were enough to beat Parish who replied through Angelo Cannonier.

The win saw Eagles clinch the club's first ever FA Cup final berth and a showdown with Devonshire Cougars on April 13 at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

Thompson, whose team were promoted to the Premier Division last season, believes his team made hard work of their victory.

"It was very exciting out there today," said Thompson.

"After the second goal we were pegged back and it did have a psychological effect on us so we struggled in the 90 minutes to get the upper hand.

"We spoke about getting the win for ourselves and our community, so to be able to get the job done we are pleased."

It took 25 minutes to break the deadlock in a game that will be remembered for defensive errors from both sides.

Parish 'keeper Nigel Burgess gifted Eagles their first goal when he sent a goal kick directly to Russell who had the simple task of holding off a defender and slotting his effort past the goalkeeper.

Eight minutes later Tucker made no mistake with his shot from 10 yards out after another defensive blunder, this time defenders failing to clear their lines allowing the ball to fall to the feet of Tucker who volleyed home to make it 2-0.

While Eagles had the lead and were the more enterprising, Parish did have moments themselves that could have swung the pendulum in their favour, but couldn't make the most of their chances, including skipper Chris Caisey's shot that just went wide of the mark just before the half.

It was after 46 minutes when they did get their breakthrough, though, courtesy of Tarik Webb and Cannonier.

Webb found himself unmarked with only Marcel Dill in goal to beat and proceeded to chip the ball as he advanced with Cannonier providing the final touch to make it 2-1.

But Parish were soon level courtesy of a Cannonier header from a Caisey corner to put the match back in the balance.

Both teams made substitutes as the match went to extra-time to determine the winner, but it was to be a player already on the pitch and on the scoresheet that would settle matters.

Tucker was the recipient of a ball that was cut back to the top of the 18 and dually planted his shot in the far right corner, although Burgess could have got to it, sending the Eagles fans into ecstasy.

Thompson afterwards admitted his side almost let the match slip away.

"We were in control in the first half and I'm surprised in which we gave up the second goal from the long ball from the goalkeeper.

"During that period we were asleep mentally and when you look at the second we conceded, although it was a good goal, there was no resistance from us in defending it.

"Extra time we thought it would be a set piece that would be the difference so we wanted to be focussed on the delivery of our balls and at the same time be aggressive when we are defending our goal.

"In the end we are very pleased with the result, it's a little bit of history for the club to get into an FA Cup final."

Hamilton Parish: N.Burgess, K.Darrell,T.Webb, C.Caisey, A.Cannonier (J.Smith, 98), I.Burgess, S.Hollis, C.Hansey, C.Davis (C.Hill,107), D.Simmons, (K.Hill,72), R.Smith

Substitutes not used: K.Cann, D.Astwood

Yellow cards: T.Webb, J.Smith

Goals: Cannonier, 46,53

Somerset Eagles: M.Dill, D.Seymour, D.Andrade, J.Bather, T.Davis, D.Swan(R.DeShields 54),A.Russell, A.Grant (D.Dowling,77), T.Tucker, K.Bean, A.Lambert (A.Rocker, 84)

Substitutes not used: J.Bean, T.Bell

Yellow cards: D.Andrade, A.Russell

Goals: Russell, 25 Tucker, 33, 118

Referee: A.Reid

Man of the Match: D.Seymour (Eagles)