tonight with a double-header at PHC that will feature last season's finalists.

Defending champions Somerset Trojans take on newcomers Devonshire Colts in the 7 p.m. opener while the second game will see losing finalists North Village playing Dandy Town at 9 p.m.

The 1991-92 final at National Stadium saw the Trojans squeeze by North Village with a l-0 victory after extra time in a tough contest, thanks to a goal by forward Rodney Bascome four minutes into the first extra period.

Now Somerset's coach Larry Hunt realises that his team will be hard pressed to repeat a second year in a row, but he is hopeful of having a good start in the opener tonight so that team morale will be boosted as they battle tougher opponents in the next few rounds during the coming weeks.

"Going into a new season we are looking for consistency, this is something that will be the key if we are going to have a successful season,'' said second-year coach Hunt.

While Hunt is happy to have Bascome back to spearhead his attack, his international centre-back Dennis Brown is expected to still be on the sidelines nursing the hamstring injury, which bothered him most of last season.

Brown has played in one of their pre-season friendly matches recently -- against PHC Zebras -- recently but has reportedly been unable to train since because of the injury.

"I know it is still bothering him and he has been unable to train for a while, so I don't expect him to be on the bench tomorrow night,'' said the coach.

But the Trojans are looking forward to the start of the season, hopeful of making yet another good run in the Martonmere Cup.

"We have the nucleus of a new team, especially since we will be using lots of new players this season, people like Kelly and Randy Simmons and Paul Place,'' said Hunt.

Their opponents Devonshire Colts are relative newcomers to the competition and they will be of an unknown quantity going into the season.

Coach Lorenzo Symonds has reportedly decided to play only on a limited basis and will concentrate on strengthening the defence with his young players. The return of Gerald Bean from Dandy Town should help him to accomplish this task.

Another addition from Dandy Town, which should help Colts too is left-back Anthony (Toe) Wilson, a surprise transfer from the St. John's Road club.

It should be an interesting season for Colts, but they are unlikely to get off to a promising start in this opening clash against the favourite Trojans.

North Village get a tough introduction to the new season in the second game against Dandy Town, one of the most consistent senior teams in local soccer during the last few years.

But Town are keen to improve on what can be described by their high standards as a mediocre 1991-92 season when they finished fifth in the league and were losing finalists in the FA Cup.

Their highly-rated goalkeeper Randy Darrell has departed for Hotels while forward Ricky Mallory, also a regular last season, has now joined Vasco. But they have compensated for these losses by picking up quality players in forwards Walter Musson from Hotels, Franklyn Simmons from Somerset Trojans, and Shivaughn Smith and Stevie Wade from Devonshire Cougars.

Their goal-keeping situation remains suspect though with Anthony (Porky) Manders reluctantly remaining to do the chores until newcomer Ricardo Tucker, a prospect from the Somerset junior ranks, is ready to handle the big time.

Their opponents Village have been active in the transfer market also and it remains to be seen how they look without regulars midfielder Kacy Simons who has joined Hamilton Parish and forward Anthony Bailey who is now with Vasco.

But they have been fortunate to make up for any losses by getting quality players in centre-back Shawn Smith, left-back Albert Caisey, and striker Philip Clarke who are all members of the national squad.