Trophy competition has reached what now can be referred to as the quarter-finals as eight teams begin the battle for places in the semi-finals.

The first of those four matches take place tonight at BAA Field when champions Dandy Town take on Devonshire Colts at 9.00. That match will be preceded by a Shield encounter between Devonshire Cougars and improving Social Club.

Colts are the only team in the First Division without a win in any competition this season, and while they drew with Dandy Town three weeks ago in the league they might have to wait a little longer for that first victory.

Town bounced back from a recent loss to PHC by beating Somerset on Sunday for only their second league win of the season and they may have now turned an important corner, having been languishing near the bottom of the league standings.

They won without last season's top strike pair of Carlos Smith and Darron Simons who was voted MVP following his 18 goals in 1994-95. Neither were in Town's squad on Sunday as the attack was led by Ascento Russell, Nathan Webb and Khari Sharrieff who scored the goals along with Lionel Furbert.

Other changes were made to Town's team on Sunday with Antoine Lightbourne replacing Cymande Davis in goal and defender Wylie Rudo also relegated to the subs' bench. Simons and Smith, who played the previous match, were not in the squad of 16, both having received knocks in the PHC loss.

Colts are hoping to have Ellington Weldon back in their team, having missed Sunday's 1-0 loss to Southampton Rangers. Colts' only hope of success rests in the cups, with a meeting with fellow strugglers Somerset Eagles coming next month in the FA Cup.

Colts have one of the youngest teams in the top flight and it will take some time for their youngsters to produce consistent performances in the First Division. Goalkeeper Randy Darrell, captain Shannon Burgess, Mark Ray in midfield and Craig Smith and Ellington Weldon up front provide the experience in the team.

The last time Devonshire Cougars got promoted to the First Division -- two seasons ago -- they also reached the final of the Shield where they were beaten by BAA.

BAA are already through to the semi-finals, having beaten Prospect in the first match.

Cougars could follow a similiar path to the one they took two years ago as they already look certainties for one of the two promotion spots.

Tonight they kick off a busy week against a Social Club side that appears to have broken out of their early season slump. At stake is the second semi-final place. On Thursday, Cougars will be in action again when they meet second-placed Wolves in a make-up match from November 26.

Friendship/Shield matches December 12: North Village v Somerset; Ham. Parish v St. David's (PHC Stadium).

January 9: Boulevard v Somerset Eagles; Paget v Wolves (PHC Stadium).

January 23: PHC v St. George's (BAA Field).

February 13: Semi-finals.

April 7: Final.