SOMERSET Trojans' battle for survival in the Premier Division begins in earnest tonight at Devonshire Rec. (8.00) when they travel to meet league champions Devonshire Cougars. Eliminated from the Friendship Trophy last weekend by PHC, the Trojans will now switch their focus back to the league where, in coach Dennis Brown's estimation, they will need to win four of their last six matches to avoid the drop.

Presently second from bottom and still four points from safety, the Trojans have been leaking goals at an alarming rate ¿ seven alone in their last two games ¿ and survival will depend on their ability to tighten up considerably in defence. Brown has publicly questioned his players' commitment and desire, saying last weekend that they are getting out of it what they are putting in. The result two days later was a 4-1 hammering at the hands of the Zebras as the defending champions Trojans looked uninspired. They should be a little more inspired tonight, knowing what is at stake, against a Cougars side that could only manage a 1-0 win over Ireland Rangers in the Friendship last weekend. Points could be difficult to come by in the critical month of February when, after another break for the World Cup qualifier and then the FA Cup round of 16, the Trojans face PHC, Devonshire Colts and North Village in their next three league games. Victory tonight would give them a tremendous boost while defeat, combined with wins for even two of the three teams above them, leaves them with a mountain to climb.

Ireland Rangers, with just the point they took off the Trojans on the opening day of the season, look doomed as they are 11 points from safety. To their credit Rangers have battled on but confidence will have slipped further after the Cougars loss and they will be hard-pressed to come away with something from their match at Police Field against fellow promoted side Devonshire Colts on Sunday. Colts are one of three teams on 11 points and another victory takes them further away from the relegation trap door. Also on 11 are Boulevard and Dandy Town who face tougher matches against the top two teams ¿ PHC and North Village on Sunday. It looks to be a division of 'thirds' with three teams being the main title contenders, three others in mid-table safety without threatening the top three and the two at the bottom facing the threat of relegation. PHC and Village still look the main championship contenders though Cougars have the opportunity to break into the top two tonight with victory over the Trojans and thus open a gap over the mid-table teams.

If the Premier Division is looking predictable, the same cannot be said for the First Division where as many as seven teams are in the push for promotion and the lead seems to be changing hands more regularly. Three weeks ago Wolves failed to even qualify for the Dudley Eve. Now they find themselves with a one-point lead at the top of the table, even though they lost to St. David's 2-0 in mid-week. Most of the top teams were in action this week as Somerset Eagles joined Wolves on 26 points with a 5-1 win over bottom team BAA. Hamilton Parish and Southampton Rangers both missed the chance to close the gap when they played to a 2-2 draw. Ahead of this weekend's games, Wolves and Eagles are setting the pace with St. David's and X-Roads a point back on 25 points, Parish on 24, Rangers on 22 and St. George's on 21 ¿ five points separating seven teams! Eagles and St. David's square off on Saturday night at Somerset (9.00) with first place again at stake. St. David's and X-Roads have possibly been the two most consistent teams in the recent weeks as Dudley Eve finalists Hamilton Parish and Southampton Rangers have both faded a bit. Parish should get their promotion push back on track on Sunday when they entertain Prospect at St. David's. Rangers host X-Roads at Southampton Oval in Sunday's top match in the division, and it is a crucial match for both teams as Rangers aim to close the gap and X-Roads try to maintain their push for a first promotion. St. George's, who moved up to within five points of the leaders with a 3-0 win over Social Club in mid-week, will aim to keep their momentum going with victory away to Paget at White Hill Field. Social Club meet BAA at Bernard Park in the other match.

Schedule

Tonight: Premier Division ¿ Dev. Cougars v Somerset (Dev. Rec. 8.00)

Saturday: First Division ¿ Som. Eagles v St. David's (Somerset 8.00).

Sunday: First Division ¿ Ham. Parish v Prospect (St. David's 12.30); Southampton v X-Roads (S.Oval 12.30); Social Club v BAA (Bernard Park 3.00); Paget v St. George's (White Hill 3.00).

Premier Division ¿ Dev. Colts v Ir. Rangers (Police Field 3.00); PHC v Boulevard (S.Oval 3.00); Dandy Town v North Village (St. John's).

Under 18 ¿ Som. Eagles v Boulevard (White Hill 12.30).