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Cougars and Lions to do battle for FA Cup final place

Paget Lions player-coach Antwan Russell (File photograph by Ras Mykkal)

Devonshire Cougars and Paget Lions will continue their quest for silverware when they do battle in the remaining FA Cup semi-final on Sunday (Bernard Park, 2.30pm).

The cup contest will be their third meeting this season with a win apiece in the Premier Division. Cougars won the first encounter 4-1 last October, which Lions avenged with a closer 2-1 win in January.

Dion Stovell, the Paget striker, is bracing himself for a gruelling encounter with the three-times FA Cup champions.

“We know it’s going be tough game and for us a chance of making another final that the players and community are up for,” he told The Royal Gazette.

Paget were denied a first major title after losing 2-1 to Hamilton Parish in the Dudley Eve Trophy final last November but continue to hold their own in the league.

Stovell is happy with the progress the club has made under the stewardship of player-coach Antwan Russell.

“I think the last two seasons actually shows the direction the club is going, and big credit to coach Antwan as he is doing a fabulous job,” he said.

Cougars striker Chae Brangman (File photograph)

Cougars are also hoping to clear the next hurdle and take another step towards a fourth FA Cup title and first in eleven years.

“It’s definitely something that we are looking for and are preparing as best as we can for this game,” Cougars striker Chae Brangman said.

“Knowing that we are in contention to get some silverware, everyone is buying into what we are trying to achieve, knowing that it is just a stone’s throw away.”

Brangman is also mindful that they lost their previous game to Paget and are motivated to put that right.

“They have something on us because the last game they beat us, so we have to get our revenge,” Brangman added.

“We know the kind of football that they play. So it’s a matter of pulling them apart and allowing ourselves to play in our style to open up the game.”

The winner will meet the winner of Friday night’s first semi-final between PHC Zebras and North Village.

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Published March 14, 2025 at 6:45 pm (Updated March 14, 2025 at 6:45 pm)

Cougars and Lions to do battle for FA Cup final place

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