Devonshire Colts and Devonshire Cougars will battle for a place in the FA Cup final this weekend, while Hotels will aim just to take a big step towards First Division safety.

The first of the FA Cup semi-finals takes place tomorrow at Bernard Park (2.30) where former next door neighbours Colts and Cougars will bid to reach April's final.

Cougars, themselves still trying to avoid the drop, will follow Hotels' crucial match tonight against North Village at BAA Field before turning their attention from the relegation dogfight to the FA Cup where a spot in the final is within their reach.

Both teams have reached the late rounds of the competition in recent years without going on to win it. Colts were the losing finalists in 1992-93 before going out in the semi-finals to Dandy Town the following year.

Colts also reached the semi-finals in 1995-96, losing 4-2 to eventual winners Boulevard and were in the last four again last year where they were again beaten by Boulevard.

Colts have also lost in their last four appearances in the final -- 1976, '84, '88 and '93 -- with 1974 being the last time they won the cup. Their loyal fans will argue victory is long overdue.

The same can be said for Cougars who have yet to lift the cup. They lost in 1994-95 to Vasco and reached the semi-finals the following season, only to slip up against Southampton Rangers. Cougars also lost in the 1978-79 final to Somerset.

Strikers Phillip Clarke and Aljame Zuill and midfielder Wali Salaam are the potential match winners for Cougars while Colts will rely heavily on Keishon Smith and Mark Ray for their goals.

The winners will meet the winners of the Vasco-North Village semi-final on March 15.

Tonight, Hotels will move two places away from the relegation zone if they beat North Village. Presently Hotels are ninth in the standings, one point behind Somerset and Couagrs.

Tonight's 7.00 opener sees Dandy Stars taking on Rude Girls in the women's FA Cup.