Holders Dandy Town and North Village will square off in the season opening Charity Cup for the second straight year at Bernard Park tomorrow.

Hornets edged Rams 2-1 in last season’s showpiece to lay down a marker for the season, and tomorrow’s contest promises to be just as evenly fought as two of the island’s top teams renew their rivalry.

“It's always a challenge facing Village, and Sunday will be no different,” Town coach Jarreau Hayward told The Royal Gazette.

“It's always nice to win the first game of the season and start on the front foot, but for us it's more important to take the right steps, not the fast ones.

“For us, success doesn't mean we have to win on Sunday. For us, success means we have followed our processes and continue to develop, learn and evolve.”

Hayward is encouraged with the progress his team have made during their preseason preparations and said his players are excited to finally get the season under way.

“Preparations have been exactly what we needed and the fans can expect to see a Dandy Town team that is ever-evolving. The standards are high, and where we are is where we need to be,” he said.

“The vibe is good and the team is definitely excited. We love the game, so it's good to have football back in our lives.”

Village coach Cal “Patches” Dill is looking forward to locking horns with Hornets again.

“Dandy Town is a very good team and we love to play against them as it brings the best out of us,” he said.

“It's very important to get off with a good start. It will build confidence in the team and hopefully carry us on to greater success.”

Dill stressed that his team must “play our style of football” if they are to avenge last year’s Charity Cup defeat to their opponents.

“The team is very excited to get onto the field and entertain the crowd. The fans can expect some entertaining soccer if we can play our style of football,” he said.

“Morale in the camp is good and the boys have been putting in some great work all preseason.

“Preparation has gone just how we set out to do and the players have been committed from day one when we started our preseason camp.”

The cup showdown will pit brothers Kashe and Blaiz Hall against each other for the first time since parting ways with St George’s Colts during the off season transfer window. Former St George’s captain Kashe has joined Rams and Blaiz has joined Hornets.

Last year’s showpiece saw Hornets jump to a 2-0 lead through goals from captain Tomiko Goater and substitute David Jones Jr, before substitute Anijahje Dos Santos pulled one back late for the Rams to set up a nervous finish.

Tomorrow’s Charity Cup kicks off at Bernard Park at 8pm. The match will be preceded by a women’s all-star showcase that kicks off at 5.45pm. The East versus West all-star teams are coached by Taznae Fubler and Kashintae Fox.

Local football fans will also be treated to a Dudley Eve Trophy double header at the same venue on Monday, the Labour Day holiday.

PHC Zebras will face Young Men’s Social Club in the opening contest at 4pm, with Devonshire Colts and Devonshire Cougars squaring off in a derby clash at 6pm.

Colts’ coach Ray Jones expects a tough outing against a Cougars side who benefited the most during the off season transfer window after picking up 16 players.

“Monday should be a good test, a derby match to kick the season off,” he said.

“They have picked up some decent players and should be stronger than last year, so a good early test to see where we are in our preparation for the upcoming season.

“Preseason has been pretty good. The players have been committed and so we looking forward to a good match.”

Social Club were relegated from the Premier Division last season but have remained in the top flight for the upcoming season after promoted Robin Hood withdrew.

“It's going to be a tough battle with the mental adjustment being back in Premier Division,” Bluebirds’ coach Marcelos Thomas said.

“Our success this season won't be measured by one game. But we'll head into this tournament with our personal targets to prepare us for the league.”

St George’s Colts, who suffered a mass exodus of players during the off season transfer window, are the reigning Dudley Eve Trophy champions.