Cup doubleheader scheduled for BAA Field.

Defending league champions PHC will be looking to resume where they left off, as will North Village, the current FA Cup holders.

The Charity Cup is the traditional curtainraiser to the season, and a good crowd can be expected at the Woodlands Road ground on what is the eve of a public holiday.

PHC shocked many last season as they became the first club to go from being First Division champs to Premier Division winners.

And no doubt coach Sammy Swan is aware that this season will not see any opponent taken by surprise, as it is his side that now wear the bullseye all others will want to pierce.

The Zebras return with much the same side as a year ago, and English outfit Preston North End's loss will be the local team's gain as Stephen Astwood, denied work across the pond, suits up to lead the attack.

Gone is fellow forward Ricky Mallory, having retired to the lower reaches of the Commercial Division and Keywest Rangers.

Village, meanwhile made one major signing in the form of Keith Jennings from the now defunct Vasco, and also have a new head man in Scott Morton, who will pace the sidelines after tutoring under former head coach Kenny Thompson, now the club's technical director.

Morton has said that winning the match will not be an overriding factor, as opposed to players adapting to the new wrinkles being installed into the system of play.

Injury worries for Village include defensive stalwart Kentoine Jennings and playmaker Dwight (Payback) Warren, with both questionable for the match with ankle and knee ailments respectively.

Sunday's opening encounter features the fairer sex, with league champions Rude Girls tackling FA Cup queens PHC Teasers.

Rude Girls will no doubt want to exact revenge upon PHC for the 4-1 mauling the then underdogs gave them in last season's FA Cup, while the Warwick side seek to confirm themselves as legitimate challengers, not one game wonders.

Correction: David Sabir was incorrectly described as the BFA technical director in yesterday's Royal Gazette . Sabir is actually the BFA general secretary.