(Rangers won on penalties) Southampton Rangers had their goalkeeper Jason Williams to thank after squeaking their way into the final of the BFA Under 21 tournament last night, defeating the St.David's Islanders 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out.

Williams, who is also the Bermuda under-17 captain, rescued his defence on numerous occasions, producing a number of acrobatic saves while his offence struggled to find their rhythm.

Ironically, it was St. David's who controlled much of the play and one may claim that they were unluckily given a premature exit from the tournament.

St. David's took the lead in the 17th minute when Landro Minors, after picking up a good through ball from Aaron Crockwell, supplied an inch-perfect cross to an unmarked Kevin Lambe who made no mistake from close range.

St. David's nearly doubled their lead in the 35th minute when cricketer-turned-footballer Chris Foggo produced a goal-bound flick that was destined for the back of the net. Instead, Williams leaped into action like a feisty feline, snatching the ball out of the air.

Rangers found the equaliser thanks to a defensive error by the Islanders' defence as Chajui Simons' shot crept into the net after he had picked up a poor clearance.

The eastenders were again ahead in the 68th minute after Angelo Cannonier, a 55th minute substitute of coach O.J. Minors, handsomely dispatched his 22-yard free-kick into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

But once again St. David's, who were obviously still in the Christmas spirit, gifted Rangers the equaliser in the 73rd minute. Indecision in the Islanders' defence allowed the ball to fall to the feet of Ian Armstrong and he inflicted the ultimate punishment, gratefully converting the equaliser to send the match into penalty kicks.

The pressure on the young players was reflected by three consecutive misses before O.J. Pitcher drove home his spot-kick to give the Islanders a 1-0 advantage.

Rangers' Lemon Simmons responded with a drive of his own to level the score before Cannonier made the score 2-1. After Cannonier however, the well would run dry for St. David's as neither Crockwell, Lambe, nor O'Brien could find the mark with Williams pulling off two excellent saves.

In the end, it was only fitting that Williams would trade in his goalkeeper boots for goal-scoring boots as he slotted home a well-taken penalty before Simons sealed the deal with a spot-kick of his own.