North Village, the team of the moment, need just a point to book the first semi-final spot as the Martonmere Cup switches to PHC Stadium tonight for the second round.

The Red Devils, with 4-2 and 8-0 wins over Devonshire Colts and BAA in their Martonmere and league matches, will advance to the last four of the competition if they can prevent Vasco from scoring their first goal of the season.

Tonight's opening match sees Dandy Town taking on Somerset at 7 p.m., but clearly the interest will centre around the Red Devils and scoring sensation Dennis Robinson whose six goals in two matches has made him the most feared striker in local football at this early stage of the season.

And if he continues at this same scoring rate then Ellington Weldon's 18 goals in all competitions last season will surely be surpassed. So too could Kyle Lightbourne's achievement of 33 goals in the 1991-92 season which included three hat-tricks.

Already Weldon, who is away on his honeymoon, has a lot of catching up to do with Robinson having notched hat-tricks in his first two outings for Village.

That would surely make him the best signing of the summer and his enthusiasm seems to be contagious as the team so far does not appear to be missing the big name players that left them after last season. "I think this club has always lacked a bonafide, out and out striker, maybe since Gumbo (Ralph Bean),'' said coach Robert Calderon after Sunday's thrashing of BAA.

"We've not had a player to put the ball in the back of the net on a consistent basis. Now we have someone we can look to.

"The players are recognising that he is a goalscorer, are putting the balls through and he's obliging by planting them in the back of the net. But it's even more than that. What we have now are players that are mature and can be counted on to do the right thing.'' Calderon isn't getting carried with his team's two victories, especially since Village have yet to play against any of the top teams.

"The frightening thing about it is that with these (victories) come great expectations,'' the coach said. "We're not eight goals better than anybody and this game (BAA) we just hit a purple patch. I'm realistic ...this is not going to happen every week.

"At times we've been very simple with our play. Guys are finding players, showing vision, but not doing anything too elaborate. We're finding that it works and it is in our best interest to play this way.

"But there's still a long way to go.'' One former Village player, Kentoine Jennings, could come up against them tonight as Vasco aim to pick up their first victory of the season. Despite all the hype surrounding them in the buildup to the season, Vasco have lost both their matches so far, to Dandy Town in the Charity Cup and to an under-strength Devonshire Colts on Sunday in the league. They are also still seeking their first goal of the season.

However, Village should take their opponents cautiously as last season Vasco won both league matches against the Red Devils.

Another team looking for their first goal of the season is Somerset who meet league champions Dandy Town in the opener. The Trojans drew their opening Martonmere Cup match with Boulevard and another draw might be enough to carry them through, provided there is a winner in the final group match between Town and Boulevard.

Parking will be available at Warwick Secondary at a cost of $2 in aid of the student council developmental programmes.

Dennis Robinson