On a weekend when PHC welcome back five players from the Under-23 tour of Germany, their hold on the top spot in the Coca Cola First Division will come under its most serious threat.

In North Village they will meet what should be their toughest opponents yet, having turned back Devonshire Cougars, Boulevard and Devonshire Colts to remain the only team in the division with a perfect record.

Village will be looking to change all that at Bernard Park, though they can expect to find a PHC side bubbling with confidence from a good start and eager to welcome back the likes of Raynel Lightbourne, McLee Smith, Blenn Bean, Dano Outerbridge and Ottis Steede.

Village have midfielders Kevin Jennings and Nakia Smith back from the visit to Europe. Technical Director Burkhard Ziese, speaking on the success of the Under-23 team in Germany, said they would beat any First Division team on the Island. With five PHC players on the tour it may be a sign for Robert Calderon and Village to tread with caution.

"They've clearly got over the transition period of last year and with new superior coaching under the direction of technical director Burkhard Ziese they will clearly be a threat,'' said Calderon yesterday.

"I have yet to see PHC play, but just their having six points suggests they're doing something right.

"Any team that plays with a lot of enthusiasm and believes in themselves certainly provides a tough match. And we always seem to have tough matches against PHC.'' Victory for Village would open the door for either Somerset or champions Dandy Town -- level on five points -- to take over the top spot. More importantly for the Red Devils is the fact they would move level on points with the Zebras.

"The fact that a large number of the PHC players have recently been exposed to this high level of coaching genius means they are a team everyone should be concerned about,'' Calderon added.

"But, in all seriousness, I believe that PHC will provide us with a tremendous challenge.'' Kick them while they're down! That's what St. George's will be hoping to do to struggling Boulevard as one of the pre-season tips travel to Wellington Oval fresh from a 4-1 loss to Village on Thursday night and still searching for their first win of the season.

The East Enders, themselves coming off a loss in their last outing, will be hoping to capitalise on any further damage the defeat to Village may have done to Boulevard's confidence.

By the same token they cannot afford to become overconfident because somebody, soon, will feel the backlash of Boulevard's poor start to the season.

The last time the teams met at Wellington Oval, St. George's beat the visitors 2-1 and they will be boosted by the expected inclusion of Herbie Bascome, formerly of Boulevard, for what will be his debut now that he has served a three match ban.

Boulevard have just one point from their three league matches and are level on points with Devonshire Cougars. Kenny Hill is returning from a one match ban to boost their attack.

Two teams are poised and ready to take over the top spot should Village hand PHC their first loss. But Somerset and champions Dandy Town, tied on five points, will know that they won't have easy matches against Devonshire Colts and Vasco respectively.

Colts will be at near full strength for their journey to the West End as the return of Jahmah Samuels, Jamal Belboda, McKonnen Hollis and Keishon Smith give them additional options against a Trojans team who can call on the likes of Andrew Rahman, Kwame Tucker, Steval Arorash and Ricky Tucker.

At the other end of the table, any plans Devonshire Cougars and BAA have of avoiding the drop will have to start tomorrow when the two promoted teams clash at Devonshire Rec., still chasing their first wins.

The last time the teams met BAA beat Cougars in the Shield final but it could be different this time even though BAA have goalkeeper Dwayne Adams and defender Meshach Wade back from the Under 23 tour.

In the Second Division, leaders Southampton Rangers are at home to Prospect while St. David's entertain Paget, Hamilton Parish are at home to Wolves and Social Club take on Somerset Eagles at PHC Stadium.

OTTIS STEEDE -- one of five PHC players returning from the tour to Germany.