The first match of the two-leg Dudley Eve final between Vasco and Devonshire Colts at Bernard Park fell victim to heavy rain yesterday and has been rescheduled for tonight at Devonshire Rec. at 8.00.

And though the extra day will give both teams additional time to prepare, neither coach appeared particularly happy at the decision which was made about 15 minutes before the scheduled start.

"Obviously we'll get another day to rest, but having played on Friday we preferred to play today,'' said Colts coach Vic Ball. "I felt the field was playable.'' BFA general secretary David Sabir said the decision to postpone the game was made in the best interests of football.

"It's a bit disappointing that the conditions were not conducive to holding this match,'' said Sabir.

"It is the first leg of a cup final, which in essence should be played for the enjoyment of the spectators and should be showcased in front of spectators. The conditions today did not provide the opportunity for both of these situations.'' Colts' confidence would have been high for yesterday's game, having come from behind to beat North Village with two late goals on Boxing Day at St. David's.

And even though Makonnen Hollis and Keenan Burchall picked up knocks in that match, Ball insisted neither injury was serious and both players were ready to play yesterday.

"It just means getting ourselves back `up'. We were keen and prepared to play today,'' said Ball.

This time last year Colts went into the Dudley Eve final with a long break after being the first team to qualify. But PHC benefitted from a shorter rest as they won the two-leg final 2-0 on aggregate.

Ball was hoping the extra game would give his team an edge against a Vasco team that hasn't played since last weekend.

"Vasco are an experienced team but we are prepared to give it our best,'' Ball stressed.

Vasco coach John Rebello took the postponement in stride, knowing that the conditions were not favourable.

"This is good and bad, the guys are starting to get a little rusty from too much time off,'' said the coach.

"The guys want to get this over and done with and I guess in our case they are a little over-anxious. Neither team needs this. This is a money maker, not only for the BFA but for both clubs as well.

"The conditions were not going to be favourable and a couple of fluke goals can change the course of the game. But in our case too much rest can be a detriment.'' Rebello is well aware that being favourites could work against his team. Over the two matches they are expecting a tough battle from Colts.

"Because we are the favourites the pressure is on us,'' added Rebello. "The fans are going to be cheering for the underdogs.'' The second leg of the final will be held on Thursday at Wellington Oval.

PHC 5 Dandy Town 4 Despite the conditions, the opening Premier Shell Shield semi-final match at Bernard Park went ahead, with PHC earning the right to meet Somerset in the final on New Year's Day.

Four players scored twice, with Devon Bailey opening the scoring for PHC in the ninth minute before Corey Dowling made it 2-0 in the 33rd. Town pulled one back through Jahmeiko Marshall in the 40th minute.

Six more goals came in a frantic second half as the conditions worsened. Omar Shakir scored for PHC in the 52nd minute before Town captain Heys Wolffe pulled it back to 3-2 with the first of his two goals in the 65th minute.

Shakir scored his second in the 80th before Marshall hit his second for Town in the 87th minute to make it 4-3.

Two goals in the last two minutes completed the scoring, with Bailey putting PHC 5-3 up and Wolffe hitting his second for Town in the 90th minute.

Two players were sent off for foul language, Shawn Roberts of Town and Damon Francis of PHC.