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Brangman fires Wolves into final

Photo by Glenn TuckerRico Wells (centre), brother of Nahki Wells, tries to find a way past a Wolves player during the PDL semi-final on Saturday at Goose Gosling Field. Wolves won the match 2-1 to reach Tuesday's final.

Wolves 2 Dandy Town 1Two goals from Derrick Brangman helped Wolves secure a place in the PDL Festive Cup Final as they edged out Dandy Town who were left to rue a series of missed opportunities at Goose Gosling Field on Saturday.Town got off to the better start, passing the ball around confidently from the kick-off, and had two chances to open the scoring within the opening five minutes. First, Rico Wells played in Shannon Burchall who pulled his first time shot just wide before Wolves ‘keeper Jahhi Shakir tipped a powerful drive by Tumiko Goater over the bar.Somewhat against the run of play, it was Wolves who opened the scoring after 11 minutes.A free kick wide on the left was played into the box by Daz Simons and, after two Town defenders misjudged the flight of the ball, it fell to an unmarked Brangman at the back post who volleyed into the roof of the net from five yards, giving goalkeeper Dean Chambers no chance.The goal helped Wolves grow into the game and play some good passing football of their own.However, they were fortunate not to concede an equaliser on the half hour mark. A long, hopeful ball over the top by Seth Campbell set Zaire Burchall clean through but he blasted his shot over the bar with just the ‘keeper to beat.Ten minutes later, a cross by Shannon Burchall caused a goalmouth scramble in the Wolves area but no one from Dandy Town was able to get a decisive touch.The second half started in much the same as the first half had finished with Town dominating the play.After 47 minutes, Zaire Burchall beat the Wolves offside trap but could only direct his shot straight at the ‘keeper. Wells then curled a shot just wide from 10 yards as Wolves’ defenders rushed to close him down.Brangman extended his side’s lead on the hour mark as they hit Hornets on the break. A quick passing move ended with Shaki Pearman’s through ball slicing open the Town defence, and Brangman took one touch to compose himself before curling the ball into the far top corner.But it took Town less than a minute to reduce the deficit. Zaire Burchall once again beat the offside trap and this time made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball under the onrushing Shakir.Burchall then had a great chance to draw his side level two minutes later, but took his shot early and could only fire it wide. Daeshun Butterfield then somehow managed to turn Burchall’s low cross over the bar from six yards, before Shakir tipped Caldre Burgess’ 20 yard shot over the bar when it seemed destined for the top corner.With Hornets pressing for an equaliser, Wolves’ best chance of making the game safe was likely to come on the break. A Town corner was cleared to Pearman who drove towards the penalty area. Spotting Chambers off his line, Pearman tried to lob the goalkeeper only to see it drift just wide. With five minutes remaining, Chambers kept his side in the game, producing two good saves from Pearman and Sergio Richardson in quick succession.Town, however, could not take advantage as they struggled to break down Wolves’ resolute defence to create any clear cut chances in the closing minutes.Devonshire Cougars 2Somerset Trojans 0Goals on either side of the break enabled Devonshire Cougars to book their place in the finalafter they saw off Somerset Trojans at the BFA Field yesterday.With North Village forfeiting their place in the semi-finals due to fielding ineligible players throughout the competition, Somerset were called upon at the 12th hour to fill the vacant spot in a match that was due to be played on Saturday.The delay didn’t prove costly to the Devonshire side, who took the lead through Juma Mouchette in the 44th minute.The lead was then doubled when Mauriq Hill grabbed his goal in the 61st minute to set the side on their way to the National Sports Centre (NSC).The PDL team ensured that the ‘Big Cats’ will be represented in both this final as well as the Friendship final.