Devonshire Cougars 2 Paget Lions 0

Police were called as tempers flared during an often violent FA Cup semi-final at Bernard Park yesterday.

Devonshire Cougars forward Kamali Davis was involved in a second-half confrontation with a spectator after throwing a water bottle at the Paget bench, resulting in a second yellow card and his dismissal, with police attending the match in an incident that halted play for several minutes.

Paget coach Antwan Russell had already been sent off in the 31st minute for venting his frustration towards the fourth official, while goalkeeper Shaquille Bean was shown red for allegedly confronting Bahamian referee Evens Julmis after the final whistle. Both sets of players also had to be separated on more than one occasion as tempers boiled over on the pitch.

It was Cougars who ultimately came out on top of a heated contest courtesy of a Nelson Carpenter own goal and Domico Coddington’s late penalty, with both teams also squandering penalties during the game.

“It feels good to finally play in the final again,” said Coddington, who also had a hand in his team’s first goal.

“We’re looking to close out the season on a strong foot because it’s been an up-and-down season and we’re trying to get back to where we should be.”

The experienced player was happy to have played an integral role in his team’s success.

“I had to close out the game,” he said.

“We were down to ten men, they were coming and had their chances. They probably should have converted a couple of them, but luck was on our side.

“Outside of all of the outside activities that happened, it was one of those games we were always going to have to fight for. They were always going to come after having had a taste of being in a final [Dudley Eve Trophy] earlier this season. I know they wanted to get into another one.”

Kwame Steede, the Cougars coach, was also thrilled to progress in the prestigious competition.

“With all that we have been through this year, the trials and tribulations, it is good that we’re here,” he said.

Both teams missed early chances with Cougars striker Chae Brangman firing wide and Paget forward Kushae Hypolite having an effort from point-blank range blocked by Cougars goalkeeper Q’Shai Darrell.

Cougars threatened again with forward Che-Kai Caisey blasting midfielder Mikel Thomas’s cross over the bar moments before play was halted when Russell was shown red and ordered off the bench.

Cougars finished the half strongly with Paget midfielder Tristen Davis denying Brangman a free header at the back post from a set-piece to leave the teams deadlocked at the break.

Lions began the second half on a promising note with Tristen Davis shooting tamely into the arms of Darrell after running into open space.

Coddington also did well to elude two defenders but failed to cleanly connect with his shot, while team-mate Davis side-footed just wide of the near post after eluding his marker.

Cougars eventually made the breakthrough in the 62nd minute when defender Carpenter headed Coddington’s cross into his own net.

Play was halted when Cougars’ Davis received his second yellow card for his part in the heated confrontation with the spectator, with police attending the scene to prevent matters from escalating.

Cougars were then awarded a penalty after Caisey was brought down in the area by Paget forward Shakir Smith but they were unable to capitalise as Bean saved Brangman’s effort, diving to his right.

Paget were thrown a lifeline when forward Diaje Hart was fouled in the area but after picking himself up he placed his penalty wide of the target.

Hart was then presented with another golden opportunity shortly after with only Darrell standing in his way but his shot rolled just wide of the far post.

Those missed chances came back to haunt Paget as Cougars earned a late penalty when Coddington was brought down by Hart, with the striker scoring to put the game out of Paget’s reach.

“I felt like we could’ve easily won the game,” Hart said. “We missed chances and I take accountability for missing the penalty, but it happens in games.

“I felt like the guys worked hard, threw our bodies on the line and did everything our coach told us to do, but we were just unlucky in the final third.”

Cougars will meet North Village, 2-1 conquerors of PHC Zebras on Friday, in the final at Flora Duffy Stadium on April 20.

SCORERS

Devonshire Cougars: N Carpenter og 62, D Coddington 90+4 pen

TEAMS

Devonshire Cougars (4-1-4-1): Q Darrell 7 — J Thomas 6, L Millett 7, Z White 7, J Brimmer 6 — M Thomas 7 — C Caisey 7 (sub: L Simmons, 71min), K Davis 6, D Coddington 7, J Coddington 6 (sub: S Burrows, 70 5) — C Brangman 6 (sub: M Paynter, 88). Substitutes not used: J Wade, Z Simmons, D Daniels. Booked: Davis, M Thomas, Burrows. Sent off: Davis.

Paget Lions (4-2-3-1): S Bean 5 — N Carpenter 6, J Carpenter 6, R DeShields 6 (sub: O Tucker, 88), K Simons 6 (sub: D Rawlins, 68 5) — D Cook 7, B Furbert 6 — D Hart 6, T Davis 6 (sub: D Stovell, 68 5), S Smith 6 — K Hypolite 6 (sub: A Grant, 68 5). Substitutes not used: P Castle, K Durrant, J Morrissey. Booked: Furbert, N Carpenter, Bean, Stovell. Sent off: Bean, A Russell (coach).

Referee: E Julmis (Bahamas).