PHC Zebras will look to get their title defence off on the right foot when they take on Boulevard Blazers on Saturday night at BAA Field in the Martonmere Cup.

Zebras won last year's competition, beating Devonshire Cougars in a penalty shoot-out, and will be anxiously waiting to return to the same venue where they put North Village to the sword in the Charity Cup, 7-1.

Coach Kyle Lightbourne remains cautious, however, knowing that a victory for his side will guarantee them a spot in the next round at the expense of Saturday's opponents.

"We are the defending champions and want to defend it as well as we can," said Lightbourne.

"So we will take the game very serious and try to get off to a good start which will help us get a result.

"We have been concentrating on our fitness and getting it to where it should be to compete at a high level.

"It is not ideal for us in that we played one week then had a week off, but we will get back to business when the whistle blows.

"I managed to watch a bit of their game against Cougars, so we are putting a few things in place to come up against them."

Boulevard's defeat to Cougars leaves them staring at an early exit out of the Martonmere Cup, and Lightbourne knows all too well that a team which is desperate and looking to make a statement is a very dangerous side to play against.

And with his men chomping at the bit with a host of players in mid-season form so early, the Zebras coach will have his side primed and ready for the battle that lies ahead on Saturday evening.

"We are going in to play a side which lost their first game 1-0 to Cougars and are looking for a result in the next match.

"We know that in this situation Boulevard can't afford to lose and if they want to go further in this competition, they will have to take the game to us.

"I saw some of their strengths and also some weaknesses. I'm sure their coaching staff will be brushing up on a few things for the game.

"I'm just looking forward to the game, it will give our guys some reward for their hard work."