Devonshire Cougars 5

Somerset Trojans 1

Devonshire Cougars warmed up for Sunday’s FA Cup final against Somerset Trojans with the 5-1 thrashing of the same opponent at BFA Field.

A brace from Tre Dill, and strikes from Demitri Daniels, Che Brangman and Makai Battersbee saw Cougars claim the PDL Knockout Cup an Under-23 competition.

Malachi Jones scored a late consolation goal for Trojans.

“We came out with a lot of hunger in trying to win the game, we wanted to win the game and set ourselves up with a good mentality heading into Sunday’s match,” said Cougars skipper Jesse Seymour.

“We are playing them again in the FA Cup final so we came out to do the job and that’s what we did.”

Stoke City trialist Brangman scored the opening goal in the fifth minute to get the ball rolling for the Big Cats, before he turned provider for the second.

Cutting in from the right flank, Brangman let fly with a strike that left Trojans goalkeeper Shaquille Bean with no chance as he watched the ball crash off the bar and into the path of Battersbee who made no mistake from close range.

Daniels then hit the crossbar with a strike from distance, but this time Bean was able to save the rebound effort from Kenny DeSilva.

After the break Dill grabbed his first of the game in the 53rd minute Drewonde Bascome released the ball into his path.

Dill’s second came three minutes later, this time driving his effort underneath an onrushing keeper.

Daniels then put the icing on the cake with a fine solo effort, weaving his way around three defenders on the byline before beating the keeper at his near post.

Jones scored from a free-kick in the 85th minute when he deceived Cougars shot stopper Kioshi Trott with a swirling effort.

“This is a good result for both the upcoming game but also to get the younger players a taste of success so they want it again after the first time, unfortunately we didn’t win the title on New Year’s Day so this goes some way to redeeming that result,” added Seymour.

“We had to play two matches that day so we weren’t at our strongest but today we brought out our best side and we were prepared mentally and physically for whatever they came at us with today.”