Despite never reaching the level of play that helped them defeat Vasco on Sunday, North Village did just enough last night to move into the semi-finals of the Friendship Trophy while ousting Somerset from yet another competition.

In a yawner of a contest that severely tested the patience of even the most loyal fan, Village finally prevailed, riding the boot of Jamel (Mouse) Smith whose 83rd minute strike ultimately separated the pair when the game seemed headed for extra time.

Energetic striker Sean Dill made the chance with his fight and determination in the face of pressure by three defenders inside the Somerset penalty area.

His shot was blocked by goal-keeper Andre Hendrickson, but only as far as a lurking Smith, who was left the simple task of tapping into an empty net.

Up until that moment the greatest excitement had come prior to the opening whistle, courtesy of a Bermuda Regiment search and seizure squad, which robbed Somerset of striker Lamaul Crofton.

Pencilled in to start the match, Crofton had his plans short-circuited as he was led away despite pleas from team-mates. The forward was replaced in the line-up by midfielder Keion Simmons, with normal centre-back Jermaine Burrows pressed into the striker's role.

Promise was shown by the Red Devils during the first 20 minutes as they ran rampant, exposing weaknesses among the Somerset defence.

Dill somehow managed to squander a volley from just seven yards in the 12th minute, booting the ball over after making a fine run up the middle and getting on the end of a Sheldon Franks cross.

Two minutes later it was Franks watching in agony, his blast following a neat set-piece at the edge of the Somerset penalty area scorching inches wide of the left upright.

At the other end Burrows similarly saw his header skim the bar in the 21st minute and follow up six minutes later with a searing drive that required all of David (Streaker) Adams' agility to keep from going in.

There was little to talk about the rest of the half as each side continued to squander what few build-ups were managed. And that trend continued in the second half, making extra time appear more and more likely, until Dill and Smith conspired to put the game away.

North Village: D.Adams; K.Grant, D.Bell, M.Hansey, A.Simons; S.Franks (L.Raynor 45 mins), C.Dill (K.Smith 73 mins), D.Wade; N.Smith (L.Durham 82 mins), J.Smith, S.Dill.

Somerset: A.Hendrickson; J.Tucker, T.Dickinson, D.Durrant (A.Rahman 45 mins), D.Deroza; D.Woolridge, E.Dean, K.Simmons, R.Scott; R.Bascome (D.Basden 78 mins), J.Burrows.

Men of the match: Jamel Smith (North Village), Jermaine Burrows (Somerset).

Referee: Esten Curtis.

St. David's 0, Hamilton Parish 0 (aet) (Hamilton Parish won 4-2 on penalties) Hamilton Parish and St. David's fought to a standstill over 120 minutes, making penalties the decider in the opening Shield contest.

Parish showed that they did possess a talent for scoring under pressure, netting four of five spot-kick attempts, compared to a mere two for the Islanders that ended their participation in the tournament.

DECISIVE ROLE -- Sean Dill's 83rd minute effort was blocked but teammate Jamel Smith tapped in from the rebound to clinch victory for North Village.