PHC defender Kevin Richards has backed his team-mates to click back into gear when they face North Village in the Martonmere Cup semi-finals at Devonshire Rec.

Tonight's clash will be the first meeting between the two powerhouses since the Charity Cup massacre in which Zebras handed Rams a 7-1 thrashing in the season's curtain raiser, and a preview to their league clash at Bernard Park this weekend.

At stake is a coveted spot in the Martonmere Cup final where the winners will challenge Devonshire Cougars, last year's runner-up, who booked their place in the November 11th showpiece by hammering Dandy Town 4-1 last week.

Both teams have had different starts to their respective campaigns and for Zebras, the defending champions of both the championship title and Martonmere Cup, are still searching for the form that made them the most feared side in Bermuda last season.

Defeats to Boulevard and Dandy Town in the league have put PHC behind the eight ball, but victory tonight would certainly serve as a welcome shot in the arm and set up a showdown for the third consecutive year against Cougars.

Although it has been a difficult season to date, Premier Division MVP Richards is confident PHC will rediscover their winning ways.

"It's been a difficult start to the season, but I would say that we have dominated most games we have played this year and should not have lost any," said Richards.

"I think it is more of us eliminating mental lapses at the back and putting away our chances, more than the opposition coming to grips with our style of play.

"We are still creating chances and with a bit of luck we will hopefully return to winning ways.

"If we win tonight, this would actually be our third final in a row against Cougars.

"But first we have to concentrate on Village, as they have a lot of match winners in their squad and have had some important defenders return to their squad.

"As always, I'm expecting a very competitive match tomorrow night," Richards continued.

"But the pressure we put on ourselves to perform day in and day out, and the expectation of our fans to win every game will be enough to make sure we turn up and let our presence be felt."

The semi-final will be preceded by the Women's FM Cup semi-final between North Village Lady Rams and Prospect.