Somerset again made history yesterday in lifting the Martonmere Cup for a record seventh time in beating PHC 1-0 before 2,000 blaring fans at National Stadium.

Teenager Kwame Tucker had a memorable debut in his first-ever final on the senior level as he headed home the winner two minutes into the second half.

The match may not quite have lived up to the quality of other battles between the two sides, but each gave their all in a match of evenly balanced outfits.

In the end it was Somerset who were able to dig deeper and pull out the victory.

"It (Cup) was ours to begin with and nobody was going to come here and take it away from us just like that,'' said Somerset goalkeeper Winslow Williams.

Few clear-cut chances arose from a first half where action was sporadic at best and the teams struggled to find a rhythm.

PHC's Otis Steede and Michael Trott took turns blasting over the bar in the fourth and ninth minutes, Trott badly miscuing after being sent free on the right by a defence-splitting pass from Sheridan Ming in midfield.

The Zebras appeared at their most dangerous on quick counter-attacks while Somerset's build-ups were more methodical.

Larry Simmons caused hearts to flutter in the 16th minute as he overlapped down the left and sent a floating cross goalward. However, full-back Shawn Simmons managed to clear the ball away as Reggie Tucker prepared to pounce at the far post.

Another lapse saw Kelly Simmons slip behind the defence for a free header minutes later only to have his effort saved by a quick reacting Ty Williams, in his first match in a month after injury.

This appeared to awaken the slumbering Zebras who replied with a number of raids on the Somerset goal.

First in the 27th minute, Frank Ming turned and fired in a volley from eight yards that took a deflection over the bar. And the resultant corner had Douglas go wide with his first-time shot.

Douglas was next called on to save Williams' blushes at the other end when he headed clear a shot by Randy Simmons after the 'keeper had been caught out in `no-man's land'.

The crowd was once again on its feet nine minutes before the half as Kwame Tucker, on a feed from Kelly Simmons, angled a bullet from the left side that grazed the right upright.

Play clearly intensified nearing the break with Somerset's midfield of Kelly Simmons, Reggie Tucker, Randy Simmons and Kwame Tucker able to link more effectively.

PHC also were finding more of a rhythm but were unable to capitalise on good build-ups.

Whether it was the water or coach Larry Hunt's speech the west-enders began the second half in a frenzy looking as if they would feast on the Zebras.

Kwame Tucker first had the ball in the back of his opponents' goal one minute following the break but referee Esten Curtis disallowed the score for offside.

However, there would be no mistaking the situation moments later as Tucker connected on a Rodney Bascome cross from the right, outjumping defender Dano Outerbridge to thunder home the winning score.

Like a wounded tiger PHC responded with a flurry of attacks, pinning Somerset in defence for extended periods.

A goal looked imminent with Kenny Mills and Frank Ming directing traffic up front, causing desperate clearances by Somerset.

Despite all the turmoil, sweeper Trevor Dickinson managed to hold his troops together, weathering the storm and eventually they were able to turn the balance once again.

During this time of domination Larry Simmons should have made it 2-0 when in the 61st minute he somehow turned his open header wide after brother Randy crossed.

Desperation showed as PHC resorted to long-range shots from Shawn Simmons and Steede in the latter stages, neither of which came close to finding the mark.

Somerset: W.Williams; B.Simons, L.Simmons, P.Place, T.Dickinson; R.Simmons, R.Tucker, K.Simmons, K.Tucker (J.Webb, 72 mins); D.Basden (R.Scott, 81 mins), R.Bascome.

PHC: T.Williams; D.Outerbridge (R.Lewis, 48 mins), S.Simmons, M.Dill, D.Douglas; O.Steede, F.Ming, S.Ming; K.Mills, M.Trott, R.Lightbourne (S.Simons, 60 mins).

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Trevor Dickinson (Somerset), Sheridan Ming (PHC).

Dandy Town 3 Devonshire Colts 2 A late second-half strike by Shivaughn Smith broke a 2-2 deadlock and enabled Dandy Town to win an entertaining consolation final over Devonshire Colts.

Four goals were scored in the first half with Walter Musson and Stevie Wade tallying for Town while Colts' goals came from Mark Ray and Craig Smith.

Two national squad players, Leroy Stevens and Neil Robinson, have been sent home from the team's camp in Florida to receive treatment for injuries.

Stevens sustained a knee injury in the match against Jamaica while Robinson injured his back in training.

KWAME AND GET IT -- Somerset's young midfielder Kwanme Tucker heads in the goal yesterday that gave the Trojans the Martonmere Cup for a record seventh time.