will be hoping their season can be salvaged by further cup success tonight at PHC stadium.

Cougars, without a win in the league in their last four matches, having just learned that they have also lost the points from their match against Devonshire Colts, have slipped back into last place in the standings and desperately need to jump-start their season again after recent poor form.

The cup competitions will offer that opportunity as they face two crucial semi-final ties in a 12-day period, Somerset tonight and St. George's on March 5 in the FA Cup.

However, cup success can often be distracting for a team trying to survive and while Cougars have already made it clear that staying in the top flight is their top priority, the lure of the `carpet' cannot be ignored.

Last season Dandy Town and Vasco met in both the Friendship and FA Cup finals, Town winning the former and Vasco the latter. Against the odds Cougars can accomplish the same, though there will have to be some improvement in their play tonight.

On Sunday they were without strikers Philip Clarke and Clevie Campbell because of injury. And while Clarke will be missing again tonight, Campbell's possible return could boost Cougars' chances against the Trojans who will go into the match as firm favourites, having beaten Cougars just 10 days ago.

Cougars have appeared in three Friendship Trophy finals, losing each one...to PHC in 1973, Devonshire Colts in '81 and Rangers in '82.

Tonight's opening match sees Prospect taking on Somerset Eagles in the semi-final of the Shield competition. The two teams met just two days ago with Prospect upsetting Eagles' promotion push with a 1-0 win at Police Field.

Prospect reached the Shield final in the 1992-93 season where they lost to BAA, present holders of the Shield.

The date and venue for the other Friendship and Shield semi-finals were confirmed yesterday by the Bermuda Football Association, along with other make-up matches.

Champions Town and Vasco, who met in last year's final, will do so in the semi-finals this time at BAA Field on March 2. That match will be preceded by the Shield semi-final between Second Division leaders Southampton Rangers and St. David's, who are the only team from that division to beat them this season.

First and Second Division make-up matches are scheduled for next Tuesday at PHC Stadium and Somerset. At PHC, Vasco take on BAA and Social Club meet Southampton Rangers, both matches postponed on January 29.

At Somerset, Devonshire Colts will play PHC Zebras (8.00) in a rescheduled league match. Starting the action off at 6.00 will be the Crystal Palace semi-final replay between Devonshire Colts and Somerset.

On March 3 the rescheduled matches at PHC will see North Village playing Boulevard at 9.00 and Wolves taking on Prospect at 7.00.

March 4 is the date for the Commercial Knockout semi-finals and Alliance Knockout Cup semi-finals. At St. John's field, North Village Rams will play Forties while at Police Field Robin Hood will meet BAA Wanderers, both matches starting at 1.00.

At St. John's in the 3.00 fixture, PHC will meet Prospect in the Alliance semi-final while at Police Field, Dandy Town will take on Devonshire Colts in the second match.