LEAGUE champions Devonshire Cougars won't have much time to dwell on last weekend's home defeat to North Village as they jump right back into the thick of the action with two tricky home matches in the space of three days.

Cougars host PHC Zebras on Sunday in the league, looking for their first points as defending champions. On Tuesday Cougars put their Martonmere Cup title on the line when they meet Dandy Town in the semi-finals of the competition.

PHC's win over Dandy Town in their group match on Tuesday night not only enabled them to top Group B but also avoid the tournament's in-form team, Cougars, in the semi-finals. Cougars were the only team to win both group matches ¿ 3-1 over Somerset and 4-0 against Boulevard to win Group A. Now Town, already blowing hot and cold, will aim to turn the tables on Cougars and clinch a spot in the final on November 11.

Cougars captain Kwame Steede notched his ninth goal of the season in the 2-1 loss to Village last Sunday and now the free-roaming midfielder is looking for an astonishing 10th goal of the season by mid-October . . . a spectacular feat indeed!

Village, the 2005-06 league champions, should make it two league wins out of two when they welcome promoted Ireland Rangers to Bernard Park on Sunday. However, results already aren't going to form ¿ as was seen with Rangers' 1-1 draw against Somerset Trojans last weekend ¿ so the Rams cannot afford to count the points ahead of time.

The Devonshire Colts¿Boulevard fixture at Police Field could go either way as both teams try to find some early season consistency. Colts began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against PHC last weekend and if they are to stay clear of the relegation zone they know early points will have to be collected.

Boulevard could find the going tough without proven goalscorer, Shaki Crockwell who was murdered, although there was something encouraging in their performance in the Martonmere Cup against Somerset Trojans in midweek . . . even if the 1-1 draw wasn't enough to advance them to the semi-finals. They looked the better team but that proven goalscorer was missing.

The Trojans travel to St. John's to meet Dandy Town knowing they will have to improve if they are to come away with at least a share of the points.

The First Division is already shaping up to be exciting as three or four teams have already shown themselves to be serious promotion contenders. Southampton Rangers, Wolves and Somerset Eagles all made their intentions known with 22 goals between them last weekend. Eagles added a 7-1 win over Paget to their 4-1 triumph over X-Roads and lead the tables with six points. Unfortunately they have a bye on Sunday so Rangers and Wolves should draw level on points.

Wolves were the big winners last weekend, blasting Prospect 8-0 while Rangers hit seven past Social Club as they also opened their campaign with an impressive victory. Wolves should be good for the points against returnees BAA while St. David's should give Rangers a good test at Southampton Oval.

St. David's have enough quality in their squad to make a bid for a quick return to the top flight, though their relegation partners, Paget, are in for a long season back in the First Division as was suggested by their heavy defeats to Hamilton Parish and Eagles by scores of 1-6 and 1-7.

This weekend's other First Division matches sees St. George's hosting Prospect and Hamilton Parish taking on Social Club.

Schedule

Premier Division: North Village v Ir.Rangers (Bernard Park); Dev.Colts v Boulevard (Police Field); Dev.Cougars v PHC (Devonshire Rec.); Dandy Town v Somerset (St. John's). Matches start at 3.00.

First Division: Wolves v BAA (Dev. Rec); Ham. Parish v Social Club (St. David's); Paget v X-roads (White Hill 3.00); Southampton Rangers v St. David's (S. Oval 3.00); St. George's v Prospect (W. Oval 3.00). Matches start at 12.30 unless stated.

Women's Division: St. George's Lady Colts v Lady Cougars (W.Oval 12.30).