semifinals of the Friendship Trophy against Vasco at Somerset if they are to salvage something from a season that promised so much a couple of months ago.

But they will have to do it without inspirational captain Neil Paynter who is "very doubtful'' after twisting his knee early in Sunday's league match against Vasco which St. George's lost 2-0 to stretch their losing streak to four league and cup games.

"It doesn't feel too good and as far as tomorrow goes it's very questionable,'' Paynter confirmed yesterday. "I'm very doubtful.

"This is the same knee I injured in 1985. It actually popped out, I felt and heard it. It has popped out before but this time it seems a bit more serious.'' The Friendship holds the last chance for the east enders to make a mark on the season. But now surviving is the team's main concern as three recent league losses have seen them slip out of the top six in the standings. Early in the season, qualifying for the Martonmere Cup looked a strong possibility but their failure to find the net has put undue pressure on the defence and the team in general.

"It's not a secret the defence has been under a lot of pressure all season,'' said Paynter, who has been the mainstay along with Franklyn Greaves in the middle in the absence of the injured Earl Basden and Phillip Bailey. Bailey replaced Paynter on Sunday and will likely start in tonight's match.

"We've been making mistakes but now teams are starting to capitalise on them.

In the North Village game there were two mistakes, two goals. Our attack is not what it is supposed to be and now the defence is starting to crack.'' Paynter's fierce competitiveness has rubbed off on his team-mates and though the confidence of the team may have suffered lately, he insists there is still plenty of determination. "We still have a lot to play for, Martonmere Cup, Friendship final -- and pride,'' he said. "We definitely need a good result but the guys are not giving up.'' St. George's reached the final on only occasion in 1987 when they went down 4-3 to PHC.

That year they beat Somerset at Somerset 4-2 in the semifinals and having beaten the Trojans in the last round just recently, maybe history is about to repeat itself.

However, Vasco will start the match as firm favourites as they warm up for their FA Cup semifinal with champions Boulevard on Sunday.

Vasco will be missing striker Albert Wolffe who was sent off in the first half. Still, the visitors not only prevented St. George's from scoring but also scored again themselves with 10 men.

Tonight's opening match at 7 p.m. sees BAA taking on Port Royal in the semifinals of the Shield. BAA dropped a point on Sunday against Social Club, probably distracted by the cup game, and they should be firm favourites over a Port Royal team that crashed 5-0 to Devonshire Cougars on Sunday. The winners will meet Cougars in the final on April 3 while Dandy Town have already booked the first Friendship final place.

NEIL PAYNTER -- Captain is `doubtful' after twisting his knee on Sunday against Vasco.