St. George's 1 Dev. Cougars 2 Controversy erupted at White Hill Field during yesterday's FA Cup semi-final with a near-riot breaking out between St. George's players and match officials.

At issue was the validity of a late goal scored by Devonshire Cougars' midfielder Wali Salaam, which proved the winner and provided the club passage through to the final against Vasco.

Salaam's inswinging corner from the left in the 84th minute rebounded off the far post, bounced behind the goal-line and back out into the arms of a surprised St. George's goalkeeper Troy Hall.

Referee Rex Osborne failed to signal the score initially, instead signalling to play on. However, linesman Peter Sousa, who had a better view of the goal-line, immediately indicated the goal and after consultation with Osborne it was allowed.

Sousa was soon besieged by East End supporters throwing verbal barbs and threatening physical harm. Sideline officials moved in to protect Sousa, with the match held up for several minutes as order was restored.

Striker Clay Smith took particular exception to the decision, also verbally abusing the linesman, an act which brought him a yellow card from Osborne, one of five issued by the referee.

After the match a fuming Smith had to be restrained from going at Sousa, which could result in disciplinary action being taken by the Bermuda Football Association.

Still, Smith was adamant that his team had been slighted.

"These referees need to pay attention,'' Smith shouted when asked for his version of what had transpired. "Peter Sousa's always doing s*** like that.

He did it around Dandy Town before, that's why he gets attacked and has bottles thrown at him ... he deserves everything he gets.'' But Smith needed only look as far as himself for fault, as the striker had enough chances of his own to put the opponents to rest.

Time and again his slowness on the ball when in good position to shoot allowed for recovery by Cougars' defence, with the result a wasted opportunity.

The most glaring miscue came in the 14th minute when Smith found himself in possession near the penalty spot with just 'keeper Leon Place to beat. Instead of picking a spot and going for it, Smith postured and when he finally unleashed, Place was able to parry the ball, slowing it enough for Maxwell Dill to clear off the line.

At that point St. George's appeared in full control, as they were able to dictate the pace of the match, working through their midfield to supply front-runners Smith and Dean Minors.

Conversely Cougars grappled to stay in the game, absorbing pressure and breaking out on infrequent counter attacks, all of which got bogged down in the final third of the field.

Galvin Butterfield, deputising as sweeper in place of Shawn Smith -- missing because of international duty with the Bermuda Pan American Games squad -- needed all of his speed and skills to cut out numerous forays in the opening half.

Butterfield was partially at fault though as St. George's grabbed the lead after 35 minutes when he and fellow centre-back Troy James conspired to present Minors with a gift opportunity.

James was caught in possession as he failed to clear on the left side apparently assuming Butterfield would do so, and Minors graciously stepped between the pair, dribbled 10 yards before slotting the ball past an advancing Place.

Immediately the St. George's faithful came alive, breaking into song and the players followed suit, orchestrating several more fine tuned raids on the Cougars goal.

It was Minors again wreaking havoc in the 41st minute, breaking through the defence, forcing Butterfield to clear his effort off the line with Place unsighted.

Four minutes later Smith wasted another opportunity, blasting over the top from 14 yards after collaborating on the left with Herbie Bascome.

With their pride stung by a miserable first half performance, Cougars came out with renewed enthusiasm to start the second half as Clevie Campbell first forced a hasty clearance by the St. George's defence and later Salaam showed great close ball skills in weaving about the penalty area before sending in a low drive that Hall had to be alert to collect.

Campbell had the ball in the back of the net in the 55th minute only to have the goal disallowed for offside, but there was no denying the big striker in the 74th minute when a penalty was awarded after Andre Todd fouled a charging Dwayne Bean inside the 18-yard area.

Hall was sent sprawling the wrong way as Campbell placed his kick low to the right to draw the sides level.

The goal set up a thrilling last few moments of regulation time, but perhaps more than either side would have bargained for.

As St. George's fumed, Cougars basked in the glory of what will be just their second FA Cup final appearance.

St. George's: T.Hall; G.Foggo, P.Bailey, Q.Francis, A.Todd; D.Richardson, H.Bascome (C.Greaves 84 mins), J.laws, D.Whitfield; D.Minors, C.Smith.

Devonshire Cougars: L.Place; M.Dill, G.Butterfield, T.James, S.Coddington; D.Russell, W.Salaam, G.Dyer; T.Burgess (D.Bean 71 mins), J.Salaam (M.Lindsay 82 mins), C.Campbell.

Referee: Rex Osborne.

Men of the match: Phillip Bailey (St. George's); Galvin Butterfield (Devonshire Cougars).

Photos by Tamell Simons WRONG-FOOTED -- St. George's' Donald Whitefield (right) makes a move on Cougars' midfielder George Dyer during the first half of yesterday's FA Cup semi-final.

VOICING DISAPPROVAL -- Clay Smith (far right) argues with linesman Peter Sousa after Cougars were awarded a controversal late goal. Looking on (from left) are a St. George's supporter and field official Gregory Grimes.