Somerset Eagles coach Kenny Thompson declined to talk up his team's remarkable turn around this season.

But that's okay Kenny. Eagles' stats virtually speak for themselves.

The men from White Hill have been the complete opposite to their neighbours further West at a place once known as 'Silvercity', with current form suggesting a potential return to top flight football next season and influx of Trojans detractors seeking to jump on the bandwagon.

Following a coaching stint with the senior national team, Thompson opted to return to his roots at White Hill and in less than two seasons has raised the Phoenix, er, Eagle from the ashes.

Eagles are currently level on points with idle league leaders Wolves and with a win over fellow promotion hopefuls St. David's Warriors at Somerset Cricket Club tonight (8 p.m.) can take sole possession of the top spot.

Thompson's men have bagged 26 points from eight matches and have only lost twice all season. And in striker Darin Dowling, Eagles have a one-man wreaking crew as the son of former Devonshire Colts star, Albert Dowling, has hit the target 22 times already this season and, after helping himself to four more against minnows BAA in midweek, is showing no signs of letting up.

Thompson can't come down hard on a defence that has leaked 21 goals against as, for the most part, he's been the unfortunate goalie picking the ball out of the back of the net.

In any case, Eagles' claws will have to be well sharpened if they are to prevail against a Warriors outfit driven by the coaching expertise of Andrew Bascome who, like opposite number Thompson, is also a student of the game.

St. David's trail Eagles by a single point and are among the seven teams all fighting for the sole two promotion spots at the end of the season.

In other weekend First Division fixtures, fourth-placed X Roads travel to Southampton Oval to take on a Rangers side adjusting to life without coach Brian (Bulla) Anderson who threw in the towel last week, while previous league leaders Hamilton Parish host Prospect United at Lords.

Elsewhere, Social Club tackle BAA at Bernard Park while a win for St. George's Colts over Paget at White Hill Field would only add to an already tight promotion race.

League leaders Wolves have a bye this weekend.

Meanwhile, Premier Division leaders PHC Zebras can take another step towards landing a first league title in eight years when they host unpredictable Boulevard - bolstered by the return of chief playmaker Melchisedec Gibbons from suspension - at Southampton Oval while for the second straight weekend second-placed North Village lock horns with nearby rivals Dandy Town at St. John's Field.

In remaining top flight match ups Devonshire Colts host winless Ireland Rangers at Police Field while defending league champions were scheduled to take on seventh-placed Somerset Trojans last night at the Den.