two clubs set to square off in battle for the second time in just more than two weeks at White Hill Field (2.30 p.m.).

Two meetings thus far this season have witnessed the pair splitting the spoils, Vasco seizing a 3-0 victory during an early Martonmere Cup confrontation and Village coming back to hand the Portuguese club their first league loss December 10.

Each earned the right through to the winners bracket as a result of convincing wins on Thursday night. The Red Devils totally outclassing Southampton in a 3-0 battering, while Vasco polished off Dandy Town 2-1.

A win would put either into the two leg final slated for December 28 and January 1, however, all would not be lost for the loser as they would then have another chance against the winner of Town and Southampton, from the losers bracket.

Village carry a seven game winning streak and clearly have the goalscoring touch, as Southampton can attest. Thursday night saw them turn things on an off as the situation dictated and were always in command.

Sean Dill planted himself as the top flight's leading marksman, notching his ninth goal of the year via the penalty spot and was aided by strikes from college student Leon Raynor and Larance Durham.

"We started off well for a change, but when the game got easy they started to relax a bit,'' said coach Wendell Baxter following the Rangers match.

Nevertheless, Baxter would feel ill at ease after watching his side's casualty list increase further, with injuries to captain Damon Wade and Durham adding them to a list already including Sheldon Franks, Elliott Jennings, Cal Dill, Jamel Smith and Nakia Smith.

Wade landed awkwardly on his right ankle following an early second half challenge and had to be helped off never to return, while Durham's fate was even worse as he had to be stretchered off by St. John's Ambulance personnel and taken to hospital with a suspected dislocated elbow after crumpling in a heap late in the second stanza.

"Yes, it was pretty costly, but it's a good thing we have a lot of the college guys back,'' said Baxter, who will have to reshuffle his line-up.

"With each training session we're including the college boys and letting them know exactly how we're playing...it's up to them to tune in after that.'' Quincy Paynter and Meiko White replaced Wade and Durham on Thursday, but were ineffective in limited service and, certainly against Vasco, more firepower might be needed.

Since welcoming back Tim Figureido and Corey Hill from suspension, Vasco have appeared rejuvenated after showing signs of buckling in losses to St. George's and Village.

The east enders were repaid in spades less than a week ago, being hammered 6-1 at home and no doubt vengeance will rest upon the mind of the Vasco players when they go up against the only team to beat them in the league.

At 12.30 p.m. Dandy Town take the pitch also with redemption among their thoughts as it was Southampton that handed them a shock 3-1 defeat October 29, in a match where Carlos Smith was sent off and referee Chris Terry was struck by a missile thrown by a spectator.

Former league MVP Smith is back among consideration for the Hornets, who are still struggling for some consistency this season. Rangers sorely miss the services of Janeiro Tucker which was well in evidence against North Village where they lacked attacking cohesion and could not make a dent against a strong Village defence.

After the Boxing Day clash when one team will be eliminated, Premier (Junior) Division matches will precede the Dudley Eve matches on December 28, 30th and New Year's Day.

DAMON WADE -- The North Village skipper Damon Wade is questionable for his side's Boxing Day encounter with Vasco.