Devonshire Cougars out to stop high-flying Village in Dudley Eve Trophy
Devonshire Cougars supporters will look for the same fighting spirit displayed by their side in the Dudley Eve Trophy semi-final against Hamilton Parish when they meet North Village in the final today.
The Cougars fought back from a goal down to win 2-1 last month and reach their second consecutive Dudley Eve final, with Jayari Fox and Elisha Darrell scoring late in the second half to punish a wasteful Parish.
Favourites to pick up the trophy last season, Kwame Steede’s side were beaten 3-2 by Somerset Trojans, but this time around it is Cougars who go into the final as underdogs as they take on this season’s most impressive team North Village.
The top two sides in the Premier Division have already met with Village, the only undefeated side in the league, triumphing 2-1 on a soggy Devonshire Rec pitch.
Cougars bounced back in some style last week with a 7-1 victory over a struggling X-Roads and if they are to win a trophy they last lifted in 2021, the Cougars will have to be at their best to conquer Kenny Thompson’s well-oiled Village, who have swept past most of their opponents with ease.
In Alexander Ingham, Cougars have one of the best goalkeepers in the league with Zeko White, Trey Tucker, and Jecoa Thomas forming a solid back three, with Makai Joell playing well as a defensive linkman.
Darrell, a forward gifted with speed, is certain to spearhead the Cougars hunt for goals together with Domico Coddington as the pair make up for the loss of Chae Brangman, who was ruled out for the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon last month.
PHC square off against Warwick Football Academy in the Leonard DeRosa Holder Under-15 final today at Somerset Cricket Club (5pm).
The final will serve as a curtain-raiser for the Dudley Eve title decider between Devonshire Cougars and North Village.
Luke Horan scored two second-half goals to lead a spirited Warwick team to a 2-1 come-from-behind win over FC Bascome in the semi-final.
Zachary McGuire had given FC Bascome a first-half lead before Horan settled matters and sent Warwick into the finals.
They will face PHC, who defeated Dandy Town 1-0 in the other semi-final thanks to a fine goal from Kruz Iris.
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