Devonshire Colts will resume their quest for a trophy that has eluded them even longer -- the league title -- when the Coca Cola First Division race resumes tonight after the Christmas break.

Colts, who lead the standings by one point over Dandy Town, have a good chance to extend that lead overnight when they take on Boulevard at PHC Stadium (9.00).

Colts have not won the league since 1972-73 when they clinched back to back titles and their loss to PHC in the two-leg Dudley Eve final will make them all the more determined to hold onto the top spot.

Over the past few years they have made a habit of losing in finals, having done so in the Friendship Trophy last season and before that in 1993 when they lost in the FA Cup final and in the Martonmere Cup final at the start of the 1993-94 season.

The league race could involve as many as three or four teams in the final weeks of the season. Presently two points separate Colts at the top from champions Vasco in fourth place while Southampton Rangers and North Village are both within striking distance in mid-table.

Any slip by Colts tonight -- and Boulevard are one team who never should be underestimated -- could see a change in the leadership tomorrow evening. Town are at home to hot-and-cold Devonshire Cougars who are still not clear of relegation, while a victory for the Hornets would at least keep them in second place.

Town were the first to be eliminated from the Dudley Eve but they will be looking to bounce back.

Vasco face a tricky trip to St. David's to meet the Islanders who need a victory to keep their survival hopes alive. Vasco will be without Corey Hill, who is in Guyana with the Bermuda cricket team, while St. David's also have two members on that tour, defender Del Hollis and striker Lionel Cann.

Vasco have already lost the Dudley Eve from last season's collection and the league title is something they will not give up easily, even though the team are going through an indifferent period at present.

Tomorrow's other two matches see new Dudley Eve champions PHC take on North Village at PHC Stadium while Southampton Rangers are at home to bottom team St. George's, whose lack of a goalkeeper lately has dashed their already slim hopes of survival.

Second Division leaders Hotels begin the new year looking to take another step towards promotion when they travel to White Hill Field to meet second-placed Somerset Eagles in that division's top game.

Hotels are the only unbeaten team in the top two divisions, with 22 out of a maximum 24 points from their first eight matches giving them an eight-point lead over Eagles, Somerset Trojans and Wolves who are tied on 14 points.

Unless Hotels are stopped soon the other promotion candidates will find themselves battling for just the second spot. Trojans should be favoured over mid-table Social Club who trail them by a point and are still in the promotion race, while the other match sees winless Prospect hosting Hamilton Parish at Police Field.

The outstanding FA Cup third round matches will be played during a busy week of night matches this week. On Tuesday, Vasco take on Southampton Rangers at PHC Stadium, Devonshire Colts and PHC meet for the fifth time this season on Wednesday at BAA Field and on Thursday North Village and Dandy Town clash at PHC Stadium.

The Friendship and Shield semi-finals will take place on successive weekends in March. Somerset meet Wolves in the Shield and St. David's take on Dandy Town on March 13 at BAA Field in the Friendship while the second semi-finals on March 20 see Hotels playing Prospect and Vasco battling with North Village at Devonshire Rec.