Paget Lions will step into hostile territory at the Den tonight to face a Devonshire Cougars side anxious to atone for last Sunday’s disappointing loss to league leaders Boulevard.

After qualifying for a fourth Martonmere Cup Final last month, Blazers brought Cougars crashing to earth.

But it’s almost a safe bet the Big Cats will looking to rebound and get their league campaign back on track.

So far it’s been business as usual for Cougars up front, top marksman Raymond Beach having netted eight goals in five matches. Cougars have also impressed defensively with Omar Butterfield having settled down nicely in his new role as sweeper and ‘keeper Ricardo Brangman enjoying one of his better starts to a season between the sticks.

In the middle Cougars possess two of the Island’s top midfielders in player/coach Kwame Steede and the irrepressible Domico Coddington.

If Lions are to have any success tonight they will first have to find a way to shut down Cougars’ midfield, plug the passing lanes and also find a way to contain the potent Beach — something no team has yet to achieve this season as the top striker has scored in every match he’s played so far. Cougars are currently anchored one point off the bottom while Lions remain in third — two points ahead of fourth-placed and defending champions North Village.

Lions battled bravely against Somerset Trojans in their previous outing, but ran out of gas down the stretch and eventually lost 4-1.

Cougars created the most chances and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, only to lose 2-1 to a defensive-minded Blazers last Sunday.

Tonight’s Premier contest will be preceded by an the Under-18 junior league contest match involving Cougars and The Academy.

[bul] Bermuda Football Association (BFA) announced yesterday that the November 11 Women’s Konica Cup and Martonmere Cup finals will be held at Wellington Oval in St.George’s.