North Village coach Scott Morton says his side needs no added motivation going into tomorrow's clash with title rivals Devonshire Cougars.

Village are in pole position in the Premier Division, five points clear of second placed Boulevard and third placed Cougars.

And Morton said his reigning champions were fired up as the season reaches its climax.

“Right now, they know what's at stake. I don't have to do anything because we went through the same situation last year to a certain degree,” said the coach. “They are all self-motivated and encourage me more than I encourage them.

“They see the finish line is in sight and know the things they have to do.”

Albert Smith's Cougars slipped up on Wednesday night as they tried to reduce the arrears at the top, being held to a 2-2 draw by Dandy Town in what was one of two games in hand they had.

A point was not much use to the side from Devonshire Rec., Morton agreeing that the only winner on the night was his team.

“I was definitely interested in the result,” he said. “I would have loved Devonshire Cougars to have lost, anything to give us a bit more of cushion, but I was satisfied with the draw.”

Morton predicted a tough clash at Bernard Park tomorrow afternoon.

“I think it will be a hotly contested game,” he said. “It will be end to end, attacking soccer all the way, and at certain times it could be at any cost.

“But we won't be doing anything different to what we have been doing for the whole of the season.”

Morton paid tribute to Cougars' frontline, but said his defence possessed the qualities necessary to keep them shackled.

“They are a team I respect, especially with the striking duo they have of Heys Wolfe and Raymond Beach, but at the same time they have to show us a lot of respect because I think we have more match winners than they do overall on the pitch,” he said.

Village will be at full strength tomorrow, a luxury Morton has not had since the season began.

“I have a headache, but it's a good headache,” he said. “I have 24 players to select from. It's the first time all season that this has happened to me and it is a privilege.

“Previously, some players were out injured, some had work commitments - there was every reason in the book.

“But now everyone is freed up and it's made them much more competitive, knowing that they have to perform at a high level every game. I think that is what has been getting us through, because players know they can start one game and be completely out of the 16 for the next one.”

Morton is realistic enough to know that whatever the outcome tomorrow, the title will not be decided just yet.

“From day one the thing that I have preached to my team is that you take one game at a time,” he said. “We never look beyond that because when you do you don't tend to get the result you want on that day.

“Anything is possible if we don't come out disciplined and focussed. We have to get past Cougars first and even if we do there is still no guarantee that we will win the league.”

Elsewhere, League gets underway tonight when fellow title hopefuls Boulevard take on Dandy Town at St. John's (9 p.m.).

Boulevard went down 3-1 to Village last week and will be looking to bounce back as they attempt to reign in the leaders and put some distance between themselves and Cougars.

Devonshire Colts, meanwhile, who were outplayed 3-1 against Somerset Eagles last time out need to restore some pride and face Somerset Trojans at White Hill Field tomorrow. Trojans beat PHC 1-0 last week, a defeat that sent the Zebras to the bottom of the table. Mark Wade's men have an opportunity to move up a place if they can see off Eagles at Somerset CC. All matches kick off at 3 p.m.

In the First Division, Social Club take on St. George's at Bernard Park, Hamilton Parish entertain Southampton Rangers at St. David's and Wolves tackle Ireland Rangers at BAA. The final match sees Prospect and St. David's clash at Police Field.

Bermuda Football Association made the draw for the next rounds of the Friendship Trophy and First Division Shield yesterday.

On Wednesday, March 12, Ireland Rangers play Hamilton Parish in the Shield, while in the Friendship Boulevard take on Somerset Eagles. Both games are at Devonshire Rec.

On Wednesday, March 19, Shield action sees Southampton Rangers play St. David's, while in the Friendship it's Devonshire Cougars against Dandy Town at BAA.

There is women's league action tomorrow night before the scheduled Premier Division game, with Dandy Stars and Rude Girls kicking off at 7 p.m.