semi-final places of the Martonmere Cup at PHC Stadium.

Boulevard, in Group A, and North Village from Group B are the favourites to join champions Vasco and Dandy Town who have already qualified for the last four.

As was the case last season, Vasco have quickly established themselves as the team to beat, having defeated both St. George's and Boulevard in their two group matches.

That leaves those two teams knowing that whoever wins tonight advances to the semis, though the teams' performances against Vasco would suggest that Boulevard should be clear favourites.

It will be interesting to see how St. George's, who reached the semi-finals last year, bounce back from their 7-0 hammering at the hands of Vasco.

In that match the East Enders looked only a shadow of the team that finished third in the league last year, with just four players in their line-up who appeared last season with any regularity.

Goalkeeper Rodney Burchall, who has been out of the game for several years having come up through North Village's junior ranks, had a busy time in his debut. Many of his problems were caused by the defenders in front of him as Corey Hill and Sammy Swan both notched hat-tricks.

One of the benefits of being in the same group as a strong team like Vasco is the knowledge that they will be avoided in the semi-finals. For that reason Dandy Town, who have already advanced, can ill afford to lose to North Village.

With a win against PHC under their belts, Town need just a draw tonight against the Red Devils to be sure of winning their group and meeting either Boulevard or St. George's in the semi-final. And if Town manage to win by more than two goals then PHC, and not Village, will remain in the competition.

The first semi-final on October 19 will be at Somerset between Vasco and Group B runners-up while the second will be held at Devonshire Rec. on October 24 between the Group B winners and either Boulevard or St. George's.