Friendship Trophy semi-final action takes centre stage at Bernard Park on Boxing Day with Hamilton Parish and Somerset Trojans meeting for the third time this season.

Trojans, the Premier Division defending champions, will go into the match as favourites having beaten Parish 3-1 in the Dudley Eve Trophy competition and 1-0 in the league already this campaign.

Nigel Burgess, the Parish goalkeeper, is looking forward to what promises to be an exciting battle between the teams.

“It has always been a battle between us and we expect it to be another hard-fought match,” Burgess said.

Trojans have sat idle since losing 6-1 in the league against PHC Zebras at Somerset Cricket Club on December 6 while Parish are fresh off a 2-0 victory over fellow basement dwellers Devonshire Cougars in their previous outing.

“That victory has definitely given us a confidence boost,” Burgess added. “The team has been working hard all season but have been unlucky in a quite a few games.”

Both Parish and Trojans are expected to be bolstered by the return of their overseas college players. Saturday’s Friendship Trophy semi-final will be preceded by the first First Division Shield Trophy semi-final pitting last season’s runners-up Young Men’s Social Club against X-Roads.

Meanwhile, the other Friendship Trophy semi-final will see 11-times champions North Village travel to PHC Field to face PHC Zebras on Sunday.

PHC Field has proven to be happy hunting ground for Village, something that Richard Todd, the Village coach, is well aware of.

“PHC stadium has been a favourable and familiar place for North Village through the years,” said Todd, whose brother Calvin Waldron serves as PHC’s manager and nephew Marquel Waldron is in PHC squad.

“We hope that PHC are in the full spirit of the Christmas holidays and extend season’s greetings on Sunday as host. It should be a good match.”

Village are expected to tweak their squad from the one that lost 1-0 to Dandy Town in the team’s previous game.

“We will have several changes from Sunday with players travelling for the holidays,” Todd said. “However, with several returning from school and a stable full of youngsters eager to seize their chance, we have options to fill the void.”

Village’s Friendship Trophy semi-final clash with Zebras will be preceded by the remaining First Division Shield semi-final between St George’s and BAA.