would be enough to whet the appetite of even the most casual soccer observer.

However, tonight's impending Friendship Trophy clash at PHC Stadium (9 p.m.) has not been able to stir the normal excitement associated with this clash of cup titans.

Although highly placed in the league standings, both have found themselves caught in downward spirals as of late. Somerset have not won a match since seizing the Dudley Eve Trophy from Dandy Town on New Year's Day, while the Red Devils have just one win in their last four matches, and that coming against First Division doormats BAA.

Both sides were bundled out of the FA Cup over the weekend, each losing 1-0, as Village tumbled out at the hands of nemesis St. George's and Somerset fell victim to a dubious penalty awarded and converted by Vasco.

For Village the competition represents one of only two remaining chances for silverware -- the other is the league.

Meanwhile, Somerset will be looking for an additional trinket to add to the restoration of `Silver City'.

Together Somerset and Village have captured the trophy 11 times -- Somerset have won eight, North Village three -- in the 29 years of its existence and have appeared in a further three finals.

Still, all of the history will count for nought as the pair take the pitch at what is expected to be a dank and dreary PHC Stadium.

Somerset coach Josef Gooden was optimistic that his young charges could release themselves from the doldrums in time for tonight's match and was particularly concerned about the attack.

"We need to try and create more goal-scoring opportunities. The last two games we haven't been able to,'' said Gooden, who has enjoyed a productive season in this his first as head coach of the Trojans. "We might be in a bit of a grey patch, but we have a good team, with talented players.

"The guys just need to lift their heads and play with the same aggression they showed in the Dudley Eve which made us champions.

"Everybody has these patches. That's how soccer is, you have good and bad runs.'' Somerset are stretched in defence, with centre-backs Jermaine Burrows (ribs) and Shaun Roberts (knee) both out hurt, while another defender Duane DeRosa serves out a one match suspension after being sent off on Sunday.

With the back-line weakened, Gooden said that he was concerned about the pace of the opposing front-line, especially as Village possess the Island's most prolific attack, having scored 19 goals in league.

However, most of those have been from the boots of Dennis Robinson, one person Somerset will not need worry about as he remains off the Island on business.

Also absent from the Village line-up will be Derek Bell, also abroad, while centre-back Irving Romaine, like DeRosa, is forced to miss the match through suspension.

Village coach Robert Calderon, already feeling the heat from club supporters because of the team's indifferent form was hopeful, if not overly confident of a victory.

"The trophy's there and we want to win it,'' said Calderon, who took the day off yesterday to tend to a minor chest ailment.

He has had to contend with constant reshuffling of the line-up, with every week featuring at least three changes, and the inability to maintain a rhythm as a result.

"We've got to make more changes ...again,'' added Calderon. "We haven't had the same team since we played Vasco last year, every week we're forced to make three, four, five alterations, but people's expectations remain the same.

"It comes across as excuses but that's the reality. The team has not looked the same since the Vasco game, with Dennis out and then Nakia (Smith) and Kevin (Jennings) in and out -- Smith should be in the line-up tonight -- due to the Under-23 squad we haven't been able to find people to step forward.'' NAKIA SMITH -- His presence (centre) should help boost Village's chances tonight.