of security against Vasco when the first Dudley Eve Trophy final kicks off tonight at Somerset (9.00).

Colts were the first Dudley Eve winners in 1978-79 and will be looking to start the new Millennium as the first winners of a major trophy in local football.

And while they beat Vasco in their two meeting in the last 13 days -- including a 4-2 win to become the last Dudley Eve qualifiers -- becoming too complacent could be Colts' downfall.

For their own record in cup finals hasn't been too impressive prior to beating Vasco in this year's Friendship final. Before that match Colts had lost in 18 consecutive finals! Vasco, themselves, may have become somewhat complacent ahead of the Friendship final, after hammering Colts 7-1 the previous weekend to clinch the league title.

Colts bounced back from that loss to end the season with both the Friendship and FA Cups as they staked a claim to being the most successful team last season.

Eight months later Colts are trying to win yet another trophy that has long eluded them. Their last Dudley Eve triumph came back in 1982-83, with their two other final appearances (1996-97 and '97-98) ending in defeat, first to PHC and then to Vasco.

Vasco took the long way into this year's final, being forced to play the extra match after defeat to Colts on Boxing Day. While Colts have been off since that day, Vasco were back in action again on Tuesday, which means just two days' rest before returning to action tonight.

And they are already hit by injuries with Kuma Smith and Derek Stapley doubtful and Jermaine Belboda sitting out a one-match ban because of too many cards.

Another Smith, college student Clay, was the Vasco hero at Bernard Park two days ago when his 20th minute strike eliminated PHC from the tournament.

The tournament has seen the return of several college players, with Colts' Quincy Aberdeen scoring the only game against Vasco last Sunday while PHC's teenage striker Kevin Richards, in prep school abroad, looked an exciting prospect.

Only twice -- both times North Village -- has a team lost in the first final and still won the tie.

Vasco, the first team eliminated last year, do have a proud record to protect...having never lost in four appearances in the Dudley Eve final.

The second leg of the final will be played on Sunday evening at St. David's.

Tonight's match will be preceded by the Under-21 Youth Cup semi-final between Devonshire Colts and PHC at 7.00 p.m. The winners will meet Somerset in Sunday's final.