In a match in which defence came at a premium, Dandy Town proved the more efficient at finishing as they eliminated Devonshire Cougars from the Friendship Trophy competition during this goal-filled affair at the Rec. last night.

A pair of strikes from Darron (Duke) Simons, combined with single tallies from Reggie Tucker and Carlos Smith in the end proved enough to shepherd Town through to the next round. However, coach Mark Trott would be none to pleased with the display by his side's rear guard.

For the Town defence allowed a hitherto anaemic Cougars attack to plunder three goals, even though an upset rarely looked on the cards.

Trevor Smith, Galvin Butterfield and Clevie Campbell each found their way past Town goalkeeper Antoine Lightbourne, although all scores were of the come from behind nature, with Town the only team to lead.

Action was fast and furious from the opening whistle with Town sprinting into an early advantage in the fifth minute when Carlos Smith made Cougars pay for a defensive blunder.

Centre-half Kenneth Swan's attempted clearance ricocheted off the backside of one of his team-mates directly into the path of Smith, who had time to control before thundering a low drive under the body of Leon Place from 19 yards.

The lead was doubled in the 31st minute by Simons as another breakdown by Cougars in their own half proved tragic, with Seyoum Tuzo latching onto a loose ball and feeding Lionel Furbert near the goal-line on the right. Furbert was able to pull the ball back for Simons, who produced the most delicate of glances with his left boot and somehow beat Place at the near post.

However, rather than simply lay down, Cougars came roaring back five minutes later as Butterfield looped a ball forward from defence for Campbell to run onto and lob Lightbourne, giving Trevor Smith the simple task of tapping into an empty net.

The second half started with Butterfield showing great strength as he rode three tackles during a purposeful forward run that ended with him burying an 18 yard bullet past Lightbourne, levelling the score.

But before the celebrations subsided Town were back in front, courtesy of Simons, as he pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and easily beat an exposed Place.

Reggie Tucker, the smallest player on the pitch, restored the two goal margin in the 59th minute, as he was allowed to rise for a free header from a right wing corner by Walter Musson. Campbell gave Cougars further hope when he nodded home a Maxwell Dill corner, but there would be no further dramatics.

Dandy Town: A.Lightbourne; W.Rudo, L.Christopher (M.Thorne 85 mins); S.Morton, M.Lowe (W.Musson 45 mins); K.Martin, R.Tucker, L.Furbert, S.Tuzo (G.Johnson 80 mins); C.Smith, D.Simons.

Devonshire Cougars: L.Place; G.Butterfield, C.Smith, K.Swan, M.Dill; M.Houghton, W.Salaam, D.Brangman, S.Coddington (G.Georges 70 mins); C.Campbell, T.Smith (S.Griffin 63 mins).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men of the match: Reggie Tucker (Dandy Town), Galvin Butterfield (Devonshire Cougars).

Hotels 2 Hamilton Parish 0 Hotels garnered their first win of the 1996-97 campaign, beating Hamilton Parish 2-0 while advancing to the next round of the Shield competition.

Second half strikes from Wayne Campbell and Dennis Robinson proved enough to assure them a place in the next round.