North Village can take a huge stride towards clinching a third Premier Division championship in five seasons by conquering the might of defending champions Devonshire Cougars when the two sides clash in tomorrow?s game of the day at Bernard Park.

Village currently lead the standings by four points over nearest rivals Cougars and Somerset Trojans with only three matches remaining in their league campaign.

However, victory over Cougars, who have a game in hand, coupled with a Dandy Town win over Somerset at St.John?s Field would extend the Reds? lead at the top to seven points and place them firmly in the driver?s seat for the league title.

The maximum amount of points Village can attain is 35, Cougars 34 while Trojans and Town can each accumulate 31 from their remaining fixtures.

Following tomorrow?s clash, Village take on cellar dwellers Ireland Rangers and Trojans at home in their final matches of the season.

?If we can perform to the level and quality of our players then we are capable of beating any team in Bermuda. We have a system implemented and as a team I am confident we can come away victorious this weekend,? commented Village assistant coach Maceo Dill.

?Playing at home also works to our advantage and with all these things in mind we are looking to take this one. The players are focused and realise what is at stake and are up for the task.?

Cougars were the last team to beat Village this season, having done so from the penalty spot during last month?s Dudley Eve Champions Cup final at Wellington Oval.

Yet while Cougars have a game in hand over Village, their path to league glory is a challenging one as they still have to face the likes of Town and an unpredictable PHC Zebras side.

But according to a Cougars team official, ?the team are focused and have a plan of their own?.

?We know what we have to do and may the best team win,? he said. ?The onus is on them as well as us and so both teams will enter the match with a purpose. And we are prepared to play just as they are and we also expect our players to live up to expectations.?

Meanwhile, a Boulevard win over Devonshire Colts tonight at BAA Field would end Ireland Rangers? midweek celebrations following a hard-fought draw against Trojans and condemn them to 12.30 football next season.

Colts, however, also have much to play for as their survival in the top tier will hinge greatly upon obtaining a favourable result tonight at BAA Field to close the gap on Blazers in the tables.

Elsewhere in Premier Division, PHC will be looking to steer well clear of the dreaded drop zone when they travel west tomorrow to take on Ireland Rangers at Malabar.

In First Division action, leaders Paget Lions can take a giant leap towards clinching promotion to the Premier Division by defeating closest rivals and fellow promotion contenders St.David?s at Lords.

?If we can beat St.David?s, then we will be well on our way to the top,? commented a Paget team official.

Paget replaced St.David?s in the top spot last weekend after the Islanders were held to a draw against neighbours St.George?s.

Southampton Rangers will be looking to keep their fading promotion hopes alive when they host Shield finalists X Roads at Southampton Oval while Dudley Eve Cup champions Wolves will also be attempt to stay in the hunt when they take on lowly Hamilton Parish at Lords in the first match of a double-header.

Somerset Eagles take on fellow strugglers Social Club at White Hill Field and Prospect United host St.George?s Colts at Police Field.