Perennial cup giants Somerset and North Village enter a crucial stage of the season tonight when they meet at BAA field in the Friendship Trophy, to be followed on Sunday by FA Cup quarter-final clashes.

The Trojans, having already landed the Dudley Eve Trophy and still in the thick of the race for the league title, are coming off a disappointing loss to Vasco on Saturday night which cost them the top spot in the standings.

"Lack of experience caused us to lose the game, we made critical mistakes in the last 15 minutes,'' said coach Josef Gooden. "It was a learning experience and can only enhance our football in years to come.'' Now the Trojans will be looking to bounce back from that setback and remain in the hunt for another trophy. They will be missing a couple of players, Lamaul Crofton who is in the Bermuda Regiment, and college players Shawn Simmons and Eugene Dean while Jermaine Burrows is nursing an injury that will rule him out.

"It's a busy week, for sure,'' admits Gooden. "This week could make or break our season. We just have to focus and get back to our game plan. Two good results this week will put us in good stead for the rest of the season.'' Village will also be missing a key player, with striker Dennis Robinson out because of Regiment duty. Village held their own against high-riding Dandy Town on Sunday in their scoreless draw.

Just before Christmas, Somerset hammered Village 3-0 in the league -- the third straight loss in the league for the Red Devils -- but things might be different this time as they bid to make a late push for honours.

Tonight's opening game will feature St. David's against Port Royal in the Shield competition. The promotion aspirations of St. David's were hurt by Sunday's loss to Social Club while Port Royal picked up a good win, beating Hamilton Parish 3-0.