Devonshire Rec. to be certain of a place in next month's semi-finals of the Martonmere Cup.

Village, fresh from a 3-0 win over Southampton Rangers in their opening match two weeks ago, take on a new look Vasco team knowing that a draw will be enough to advance them into the next round.

A point for Village would mean that they cannot be overtaken in Group A by either Vasco or Rangers who still have to meet each other.

The same scenario could develop in Group B where Town hold an edge after their 2-1 win over Wolves. If Town take a point off Colts -- the team they beat in last year's final -- it will be good enough to take them through along with Village.

Town's squad looks solid with left-sided players Earl Richardson, Burton Bruce and Voorhees Astwood all returning to the club from Vasco. Bruce and Richardson played against Wolves in their opening match of the season, though Bruce had a disappointing start to the campaign when he was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Village, too, have already shown themselves as a team to watch this season.

Coach Kenny Thompson has again proved his value to the team in midfield and if he decides to turn out regularly this year, Village have a good chance of adding to the Dudley Eve they won last season.

If Village and Town do clinch the first semi-final places in their respective groups, it will leave the four teams in next Tuesday's match-up -- Colts against Wolves and Vasco against Rangers -- battling for the last spots.

The qualifying situation, however, will be all the more interesting if Vasco and Colts pull off victories tonight when Vascco play Village in the opener and Colts meet Town in the feature match. That could set up a three-way tie in the two groups, with goal difference then deciding the top two teams.

Colts already have a win under their belt after a 3-1 victory over Vasco in the season-opening Charity Cup, the match that featured the league and FA Cup champions from last season.

The 1999-2000 season kicks off in earnest this Sunday with a full slate of league matches. The former First Division will now be known as the Premier Division while the old Second Division has been changed to the First Division.

League champions Vasco open their season away to Wolves at Devonshire Rec.

with the match being switched from Vasco's home field at BAA Field, while promoted teams PHC and St. David's take on Village and Boulevard respectively at Bernard Park and St. David's. Dandy Town host Somerset at St. John's and Colts play Southampton Rangers at White Hill.

In order to reduce the Premier Division to eight teams next season, three sides will be relegated from the top division with only one coming up from the First Division.