ejections instead of three was music to the ears of local soccer clubs, not least First Division Vasco who will have defenders Donovan Livingston and Paul Towlson eligible for tomorrow's encounter with BAA.

This will mark the second time in a few seasons that the switch has been made from an automatic three-match ban to one-match, bringing the BFA in line with recommendations by the sport's governing body, FIFA, who have instructed referees world-wide to clamp down on rough tackles.

Both Livingston and Towlson were ejected from the recent Martonmere Cup match because of fouls and with their one match suspension having been served through the Somerset game last weekend, both are set to return against the Greens.

It will be welcome news for winless Vasco.

"It does open up things a bit more doesn't it,'' said coach Jack Castle yesterday.

"With those two fellas back it gets us back to full strength and we can go from there.'' Somerset's Rudolph Butterfield, who was sent off that same night, is also eligible to play again while Boulevard defender Donnie Charles, who was red carded last weekend, has just one match to serve.

Another player to welcome the news is Jamal Salaam of Devonshire Cougars who was sent off in the opening game of the season. Any players sent off as late as October 2 and 4 will have served one match suspensions and are eligible for this weekend's games, the BFA confirmed yesterday.

There are some interesting match ups this weekend as St. George's and Dandy Town, second and third in the standings and only separated by goal difference, clash at St. John's Field where Ricky Hill could make his St. George's debut while top Town scorer Darron (Duke) Simons might be doubtful after limping out of a training session this week.

The action begins this evening with leaders PHC Zebras taking on fourth-place Devonshire Colts at PHC Stadium at 8.00. Both teams are unbeaten after two matches, with PHC being the only team in the league with maximum points, from victories over Devonshire Cougars and Boulevard.

Like PHC, Colts will be missing key players because of the Under-23 squad's tour of Germany.

However, there is a chance that Colts captain and last season's top scorer Ellington Weldon could see action for the first time against the Zebras, having just returned from his honeymoon.

Another interesting clash tomorrow will be at St. David's where Boulevard entertain North Village, both teams looking to bounce back from first losses last weekend.

The other match sees Devonshire Cougars at home for the first time this season, for the visit of Somerset Trojans.

Southampton, two points clear in the Second Division already, are at home to Social Club while two other interesting clashes see second-placed Port Royal take on Wolves and Prospect at home to St. David's.

The remaining match has bottom teams Hamilton Parish and Somerset Eagles meeting at Wellington Oval.

Bermuda's Under-23 soccer team arrived in Hamburg, Germany yesterday, tired from a long flight but eagerly awaiting the opening match on their five-match tour on Tuesday against the Hamburg State Under-21 team. Today the team will watch a match between First Division leaders Werder Bremen and FC Koln.