Larance Durham's brilliant goal after 53 minutes proved to be the winner as North Village advanced to the final of the Friendship Trophy last night at Devonshire Rec.

After a mostly uneventful first half the game came to life early in the second halff when Durham collected the ball on the right corner of the Vasco penalty box, looked up and unleashed a fierce shot that rocketed into the far top corner.

Timmy Figureido, not an easy 'keeper to beat, was left clutching at thin air as the bar whistled past him.

Figureido made an important save in the dying minutes when he saved from Nakia Smith from point blank range after the Village midfielder wiggled his way inside the Vasco box trying to gain space to get off his shot.

Just before that a pass from substitute Ralph Bean Jr created another good chance for Village as another sub, Kevin Jennings, raced through before cross to Smith who put his shot over the bar.

The match almost got out of hand in injury time when Vasco's Frankie Simmons kicked full-back on his leg in frustration after the youngster shielded the ball and allowed it to go out for a goal kick. After Dill kicked the ball back at Simmons, Calvin (Patches) Dill got involved in the incident and goalkeeper Dwayne Adams had to hold him back. Seconds later the final whistle blew without any cautions, as Village were confirmed as Dandy Town's opponents for the final.

The clear cut chances in the first half were few with one of the best opportunities falling to Vasco's Shawn Smith in the 26th minute. He was in a good position inside the Village box to get off a shot but attempted to try to run the ball around Adams and eventually lost the chance.

It came during a good period for Vasco and minutes later an Adams kick went straight to Steven Arorash who sidefooted the ball straight back to Irving Burgess on the edge of the penalty area. However, Adams had quickly recovered and Burgess' volley was collected easily.

At that stage Vasco looked the more likely to score but Village, with Nakia Smith working tirelessly in midfield, stayed in contention. They looked threatening whenever they pushed forward.

Elliott Jennings volleyed wide after chesting down a cross from Durham and then Smith's shot from 25 yards took a deflection before going just inches over the bar as Figureido ended up in goal. The pressure was eased by a wasted corner from Jennings.

Even during the last few minutes as Vasco battled for the equaliser, Village remained composured under pressure. A year ago they lost in the Friendship semi-final on this same ground but this time they got the chance to make amends and reach their fifth Friendship final. They last won the trophy in 1993.

Unfortunately for Vasco this was their final chance to land a trophy for the season, having also recently lost in the FA Cup at this same ground. It is expected they will soon be replaced as league champions by Devonshire Colts who will have to lose their last two games for Vasco to have any chance of retaining the title they won last season.

Village: D.Adams; K.Dill, I.Romaine, M.Hansey, R.Spence, D.Bell, K.Simons (R.Bean 76min), N.Smith, E.Jennings, L.Durham (C.Dill 70min), S.Wilson (Kev.Jennings 46min).

Vasco: T.Figureido; E.Richardson, S.Smith, Ken.Jennings, D.Stapley, V.Astwood, P.Towlson, S.Arorash, I.Burgess, F.Simmons, S.Swan.

Referee: Richard Knight Men of match: Michael Hansey (Village), Paul Towlson (Vasco).