aside this week to concentrate on two major cup competitions, beginning tonight with their meeting in the Friendship Trophy at BAA field (9.00).

The way the results have been going this season it has been difficult to predict. It is with that in mind that Village coach Wendell (Joe) Trott will want to stress the importance of not taking their opponents lightly even though they are one of the teams battling for First Division survival.

"We are taking cup games very seriously,'' Trott said yesterday. "It's just up to the guys to apply themselves. I don't foresee an easy game because anything can happen in cup games.'' It is so wide open in the league that mid-table Village are just four points out of first place and five points away from the relegation zone.

The Red Devils have been hampered by injuries this season with defenders Shawn Smith, Arthur Simons and Albert Caisey all presently out of the team along with Tito Smith and the suspended Clinton Caisey.

Shawn Smith has a recurring thigh injury while Simons and Albert Caisey both have knee problems. Tito Smith is sidelined with a foot injury while striker Philip Clarke is only just returning from a broken toe.

Clarke tested the injury as a 70th-minute substitute on Sunday in the 3-1 win over Hamilton Parish but, according to his coach, has still not totally recovered and will likely be a substitute again tonight.

"We haven't had a consistent 11 all season, every game we've had to chop and change,'' said a disappointed Trott. "We've never had a settled team.'' Like Village, the Islanders are hoping for a good run in either the FA Cup -- they meet Somerset in the quarter-finals on Sunday -- or the Friendship Trophy where the winners of tonight's clash will advance to the semifinals on March 2.

No doubt surviving in their first season in the First Division is the top priority for last season's Second Division champions who have lost their last two league matches.

St. David's have a few former Village players in their team, including player/coach Garrett (Punchy) Dill, Eugene Smith, Earlwin Wolffe and Sherwin Hollis and they will all be determined to beat their former team who start as favourites.

Jerry Laws, who has adapted well to the demands of the First Division, will lead the St. David's attack as he bids to add to his six goals.

Somerset Eagles and Prospect will meet for the second time in three days when they battle in the Second Division Shield opener at 7.00. Eagles won the Sunday's meeting 2-1 and tonight's match should be just as close.

JERRY LAWS.