Somerset Eagles . . .0

S’Rangers . . . . . . . .1

Simons 20

A sublime finish from veteran striker Rohaan Simons proved to be the difference in this FA Cup quarter-final that failed to live up to expectations at White Hill Field yesterday.

Simons scored the winner midway through the first half after the visitors had absorbed some early pressure from their First Division rivals.

Eagles were caught flat-footed at the back and Simons took full advantage as he shrugged off the challenge from Shannon Morrisey before crashing his shot in off the underside of the bar.

Rangers nearly drew first blood right from the kick-off when Simons, spotting Eagles 'keeper Marcel Dill slightly off his line, tried his luck from the centre circle.

Dill, though, was equal to the task and easily saw off the threat.

With acres of space on offer, Eagles used the width of the pitch to their advantage and their possessive brand of football gradually bent their rivals out of shape, resulting in goal-scoring opportunities the hosts failed to capitalise upon.

Eagles captain Darin Dowling tested Rangers 'keeper Jason Smith from close range and moments later the former Dandy Town player was forced to go full-length to deny Anthony Hunter from levelling the scores.

With the wind at their backs after the break, Eagles piled on the pressure and pinned their Premier Division rivals in their own half for most of the remainder of the match in search of an equaliser.

It looked to have finally arrived when the crafty Roger Lee made room for himself down the left side and curled the ball to the back post, only for Smith to make a spectacular fingertip save.

But Eagles nearly fell further in arrears on a counter attack that resulted in defender Adolphus Lambert having to chase down Simons' goal-bound effort to clear the danger just a yard or two from the goaline.

Tempers boiled over late in the match when Lambert and Rangers' Friendship Trophy semi-final hero, Morricko Iris, had to be separated following an off-the-ball exchange before cooler heads eventually prevailed.

In a last-ditch effort to keep their cup hopes alive Eagles threw numbers forward but it was Rangers who came closest to extending their lead.

But with time and space at his leisure, Rangers sub Akale Bean hurried his shot well wide to set up a nervous finish.

Somerset Eagles – M.Dill, D.Andrade (J.Bather, 85), K.Brunson, T.Fubler, A.Lambert, M.Rojas, T.Tucker, A.Hunter (A.Webb, 75), D.Dowling, S.Morrisey, R.Lee.

Southampton Rangers – J.Smith, K.Tucker, D.Charles, O.Hart, J.Charles (T.Brown, 85), J.Dill, K.Simmons, K.Smith, J.Bean, R.Simons (A.Bean, 85), M.Iris.

Booked: A.Lambert, T.Tucker (Eagles); K.Tucker, K.Smith, J.Bean, R.Simons, M.Iris (Rangers).

Man of the match: R.Simons (Rangers)

Referee: K.Evans.

n Boulevard Blazers thrashed First Division Prospect in yesterday's FA Cup clash at Police Field 4-1. Skipper Takeyhi Walker, Angelo Simons, John Payne and Dion Stovell were all on target for Andrew Bascome's team. Augusto Arrate scored a penalty for Prospect.