Only playing because of a depleted squad, 34-year-old coach Kenny Thompson did more than make up the numbers for North Village last night at St. John's.

In fact Thompson influenced the outcome of this Dudley Eve semi-final with two second half goals, showing that whatever he tells his players to do he can still do himself. His two goals put the match firmly back in Village's favour after Wolves had finished strongly in the first half.

Thompson's class was evident when he broke the deadlock with a nicely taken taken just 50 seconds into the second half. Finding himself free on the right side of the penalty box Thompson rifled in a low that that beat 'keeper Hewvonnie Brown before going in off the far post.

It was at that same end that Wolves threatened to take the lead themselves during the later stages of the opening half. Their best chance came in the 35th minute when Khari Sharrieff laid on a square pass to Julian Francis on the left side but his first time shot whistled inches too high.

Moments later Sharrieff, in the thick of the action in the first half, turned and drove a left-footed shot over the top. All this was happening against the wind and the expectations were that Wolves would have the edge with the wind in their backs in the second half.

However, that never materialised as they rarely tested Dwayne Adams in the Village goal.

Village should have had a second goal in the 62nd minute when Kevin Jennings' run forward resulted in a pass through the defence for Devon Brangman who wasted the chance when with only Brown to beat.

Thompson added a second goal in the 69th minute when he scored from a scramble in the box with a shot into the corner. After celebrating he was taken off on the stretcher with cramp and soon after was back on the bench shouting orders.

Village, who lost to Wolves in their opening Dudley Eve tie last week, were not about to waste their lead.

They added a third goal for good measure in injury time when Wolves sub Tori Davis pulled back Neil Robinson inside the box. Robinson took the penalty himself and scored easily to Brown's right.

Village had Kofi Dill, Jamal Boyles, Sergio Goater, Daniel Jennings and Jemeiko Jennings all missing, while were without Anthony Thomas and Peter Sampson, though John Barry Nusum returned from a short trip abroad and had a busy first half.

Village now have less than two days before hosting Dandy Town at Bernard Park in the first final.

Village: D.Adams; M.Hansey, K.Binns, J.Thomas, R.Spence, N.Robinson, K.Jennings (J.Smith 77min), P.Mahoney (K.Simpson 69min), E.Jennings, K.Thompson (K.Dill 72min), D.Brangman.

Wolves: H.Brown; T.Trott, J.Rego, L.Hypolite, J.Douglas (R.Nesbitt 73min), J.Nusum, E.Weldon, J.Francis (T.Davis 57min), V.Minors (D.Wainwright 80min), K.Sharrieff, N.Webb.

Referee: Anthony Mouchette Men of the match: Kevin Jennings (Village), Khari Sharrieff (Wolves).

Somerset Trojans hammered Boulevard 11-2 in the under-21 semi-final in the opening match as Jelani Butterfield scored a hat-trick and Rodre Wilson netted twice to lead the scoring. Damon Darrell of Boulevard was sent off.