Boulevard and PHC Zebras find themselves facing Martonmere Cup elimination tonight at BAA Field.

Both clubs were on the wrong end of high-scoring losses in their opening matches against Somerset Trojans and Devonshire Cougars and must win tonight if they are to stand any chance of reaching the competition?s semis.

Dennis Brown?s new-look Trojans thumped Blazers 6-1 while Cougars edged Zebras 5-4.

While the final scoreline suggested a walkover, Blazers, despite losing a few key players over the off-season, were unfortunate not to convert on several occasions and remained competitive for the most part.

Had they cashed in on their scoring opportunities, things might have been different.

But in any case it?s goals that win matches and it was in this particular department where Blazers received poor grades while their fitness also left much to be desired.

Tonight?s Group B action sees Boulevard pitted against Dandy Town in the nightcap.

Blazers edged Town by the odd goal to put a dent in Hornet?s Premier Division league title hopes late last season and will undoubtedly be looking for a similar result tonight against last season?s beaten finalists.

Zebras, meanwhile, paid a heavy price for a second-half defensive lapse which allowed Cougars to score four unanswered goals inside of 18 minutes.

Zebras are up against two-time defending Martonmere Cup champions North Village Rams in tonight?s opening Group A match. Rams squeezed by Zebras 1-0 the last time to the two clubs met in the FA Cup semi-final.

In order to be successful against cup holders Rams, Blenn Bean and his supporting cast members will have to tighten up at the back in the hopes Raynel (Manga) Lightbourne, Omar Shakir and Patrick Russell can again find their way to the target.

Zebras icon Sammy Swan could also make a return after spending the past few seasons in the Commercial ranks.

Swan coached Zebras to the 2000 Premier Division championship.

Rams are gunning for an unprecedented third straight Martonmere Cup title and already hold records for overall wins (eight), appearing in the most finals (12) and in becoming the first club to win successive titles on three separate occasions in the competition?s 33-year history.

Martonmere Cup action then continues next Friday at BAA Field where Town take on Trojans and Cougars lock horns with Rams in what will be a repeat of this month?s Charity Cup which saw the latter run out 4-3 victors.

Elsewhere, the 2005-06 First Division league season kicks off tomorrow with matches being played across the Island.

White Hill Field will play host to a double-header with a new -look Paget taking on St.George?s at 12.30 p.m. and home side Somerset Eagles going head-to-head with Prospect at 3 p.m.

Other matches see X Roads Warriors pitted against last season?s beaten FA Cup finalists Hamilton Parish at Garrison Field, Social Club hosting Wolves at Bernard Park and Southampton Rangers poised to do battle with St.David?s at Southampton Oval.