PHC will begin defence of their league title tomorrow when they visit Boulevard Blazers at BAA Field in one of two top clashes this weekend.

Zebras were the most consistent team last year, which resulted in them lifting three titles and will no doubt be the team to beat again this year.

And having already made a safe passage into the semi-finals of the Martonmere Cup, a trophy they own from last term, the men in black and white seem to be a team in form.

However, coach Kyle Lightbourne will not have his side believe it is their given right to win games and admits that teams will be looking for points against the champions.

"We have managed to make it through to the next stage of the Martonmere, but I'm not completely happy with how we have been playing," said Lightbourne, who remains on the short-list for the vacant post of national coach.

"I have been pleased with their attitudes and how the preparation has gone but we need to start to buckle down and really focus.

"The Martonmere game gave us some match fitness and allowed some players who hadn't had a chance to start in the previous matches a chance to start and get into the swing of things.

"We have conceded in every game so we will be looking to sort that out."

With the match being played at BAA Field, the venue for all Martonmere matches, there will be no home field advantage for Boulevard, a side who narrowly lost to PHC in their group game.

And with Zebras scoring 10 goals in their first three matches, it would appear that BAA has been a happy hunting ground for the champions as they look to continue their winning start to the season.

"We look hard to beat again," Lightbourne continued. "This year will be a bit different from last in that we will enter each match as defending champions.

"Last year it was Cougars and when we played them our focus was to send a message to the league that we are here.

"There is always someone gunning for you when you are at the top. And when you're not at your best, teams will take advantage of that.

"Sometimes you can tell what type of game it will be within the first 20 minutes. Some will be flowing while others will be matches where we will have to roll up our sleeves and dig in.

"Our boys are starting to understand what is required and the fact that you can't play each match the same.

"We play Boulevard and it will be a very hard match that can go either way. We have to come ready to play.

"It is a different mindset when you are hungry and looking for success.

"PHC will have a different mindset which is about winning. Complacency will not creep in this year with our success from last year.

"If we don't take the game to teams and show them that we are looking to win everything again it will be an uphill struggle."

Elsewhere in Premier action tomorrow, Dandy Town host Devonshire Cougars in another big game at St. John's Field while North Village will be looking to get their league campaign off on the right foot when they face newboys Southampton Rangers at Southampton Oval.

Devonshire Colts and Hamilton Parish get the league kicked off when they lock horns tonight at 8 p.m. at BAA Field.