place in the Dudley Eve Trophy competition.

But the showdown that will determine much for the league champions will come this weekend when the two teams lock horns in the first round of the FA Cup.

Defeat could leave the Trojans spiritless over the holidays and at a psychological disadvantage when the second half of the season begins on January 9.

Boulevard have also already replaced Somerset as Martonmere Cup champions and look favourites to take the league title from their grasp too as they go into the Christmas break holding a two-point lead and with the best defence in the division.

Somerset coach Larry Hunt admitted yesterday Boulevard look the best bet for their Dudley Eve Trophy title, but the league title will not go without a fight from the holders.

"To be honest I don't think we deserve to be there (in Dudley Eve Trophy),'' said Hunt yesterday.

"But as long as we remain in the FA our spirits will be high. If we lose on Sunday our season could be over in terms of spirit.'' For that reason, Sunday's tie at St. David's will go a long way towards determining how successful Somerset are in the second half of the season when the silverware is handed out. Having lost twice to Boulevard already this season, the west-enders have a score to settle.

"Our first priority is Boulevard on Sunday,'' said the coach. "Boulevard have been the most consistent team this season because they have been able to play practically their same team. Our problem is we've had a lot of injuries.

At one time we had nine guys out.

"But I don't put too much emphasis on injuries, we were also not playing well at the time.'' Presently, Somerset have two players injured, defender George Cann and striker Dwight Basden who recently had arthroscopic surgery on one of his knees.

Losses to Boulevard and St. George's cost Somerset a place in the competition they won for the first time last season.

When they resume playing in early January, closing the six-point gap between leaders Boulevard and themselves in sixth place will be their main priority.

In the past the Trojans have been known for their second-half surges.

"They're (Boulevard) the only team that have been consistent, everybody else is beating each other,'' said Hunt.

For that reason no points, not even against teams lower than them in the standings, are safe points.

"There is a challenge out there for them (his players) and they have to accept the challenge,'' said Hunt. "I don't think we've met the challenge yet. We've got Dandy Town in our first match, and they're going through a sticky patch.'' Added the coach: "We can't afford to drop anymore league points. Against St.

George's we dominated most of the game and couldn't score. The Boulevard game was pretty even, we had our chances but Boulevard came up with the goods.'' Trojans striker Rodney Bascome reportedly escaped with only minor injuries after crashing his white Subaru automobile through a wall just off Burnt House Hill.

Bascome was said to have received a cut to his head and a passenger was likewise hurt slightly in the incident, which occurred around 4 a.m. Monday morning.

The car though was extensively damaged.

Tonight's Friendship Trophy and Second Division Shield matches have been postponed until January 11 because Dandy Town and Devonshire Colts are both involved in the Dudley Eve Trophy, which starts on Thursday with a double-header at Devonshire Rec. field.

In the 7.00 opener, Colts play North Village while Boulevard, the favourites for a second title, meet Dandy Town at 9.00.

The women's league opens its season on December 28 when Telecom meet Somerset Terminators at BAA field at 1.00 prior to the Dudley Eve Trophy losers' semifinals. On January 1, Rude Girls play Dandy Stars at 12.30 at Wellington Oval.