Devonshire Cougars will have their eyes on a second successive piece of silverware when they face North Village in their Friendship Trophy semi-final at PHC Field on Boxing Day.

Cougars have emerged as a surprise package this season under new coach Omar Butterfield, winning the Dudley Eve Trophy last month, and are fourth in the Premier Division — six points off leaders PHC Zebras.

Village, who also had a coaching change in the summer with Devarr Boyles succeeding Richard Todd, have also enjoyed an encouraging start to the season and lie in third position three points ahead of Cougars.

In the other semi-final, to be played at Goose Gosling Field next Tuesday, PHC take on Dandy Town. Both games kick off at 2.30pm.

Kevin Simpson, the Devonshire Cougars technical director, attended yesterday’s draw at the Clyde Best Centre of Excellence and believes his club are reaping the rewards of focusing on their youth players.

“We’re looking to rebuild and we’ve started that process by dealing with our youngsters,” Simpson said. “I have to give credit to coach Omar Butterfield and manager Pele Evans as they’ve put these players to the test and they have prevailed.

“We have been working with these young boys for two years and now we’re reaping the rewards.

“We’re happy but we’re not going over our breeches because we’re still building.”

Sherwin Dill, the Village president, is proud of his club being the first team to win the competition in 1966 and has backed them to claim their eleventh title.

“I have to give respect to Devonshire Cougars and we’ve beaten each other this season,” Dill said.

“We will have some college players back which will increase our numbers and quality.

“Cougars had a slow start but they’ve improved along the way and have been quite impressive.”

Jonathan Ball, the PHC president, is braced for a tough encounter against an improving Town, who are looking to become a “cup team” this season after a woeful start in the league.

“All of the teams in this pool are quality sides and we have the upmost respect for all of them, especially Dandy Town,” Ball said.

“We were fortunate enough to beat them in our last meeting through a beautiful late goal from Daren Usher.

“We have respect for them, but at the same time we’re confident in ourselves. Hopefully we can continue our good form in the Friendship [Trophy].”

In the Shield Trophy semi-finals, Young Men’s Social Club take on defending champions BAA at PHC Field on Boxing Day, while St George’s Colts meet St David’s at Goose Gosling Field the next day.

Both games kick off at noon.