PHC Zebras and Young Men’s Social Club, the unbeaten Premier and First Division leaders, will aim to add to their impressive league form in the Friendship and Shield semi-finals.

PHC return to Goose Gosling Field on Tuesday for a fourth cup match this season, hoping to carry on where they left off after two wins in the Dudley Eve and last weekend’s Friendship Trophy quarter-final triumph over Flanagan’s Onions.

“First, it is always encouraging to make it further in cup competitions, that’s always the aims of teams, but at the same time not forgetting the steps it takes to get there,” said Scott Morton, the PHC coach, who took the team to the Dudley Eve final last month, where they lost to Devonshire Cougars.

“The important thing to remember is we’re still on the journey and the players are big believers in what we’re trying to accomplish, so all the credit goes to them. It’s important to understand the relationship we have and that everybody has a role to play in that relationship.”

PHC will be without injured midfielder Mahzie Burchall and striker Rakeem DeShields for the match against Dandy Town, with captain Cecoy Robinson playing an important role in midfield along with Marco Warren and Tre Ming. PHC have some college players back, but the strength of the squad could make it difficult for some of them to be included.

“We have a few college players back, but they won’t be in the squad at this time based on the performances of the players who have been there since pre-season,” Morton said. “It’s a new system we’re implementing, but playing in PDL matches they have gotten a small taste of it.

“We’re glad they are back, they help the training sessions to be a lot more intense because they are bringing a different perspective from their respective schools. Mahzie Burchall is still out and he was a significant player in the few games before he got injured. Rakeem DeShields is also out for the next couple of weeks.”

PHC take on Town at 2.30pm in what will be the second meeting between the teams in as many weeks. PHC will be confident after their 2-1 victory at St John’s Field on December 11, but while Town’s league campaign has been a disappointing, they are capable of putting together some good results in the cup. They eliminated holders Somerset in the quarter-finals last weekend.

“I wouldn’t say we’re favourites, we’ve just been handling our business and have been fortunate enough to get the results,’ Morton said. “The players understand it is the process before the result.

“For me Dandy Town should be the favourites, they are the current [league] champions and have won multiple trophies over the last two years. A number of their players are in the senior national team. We have a young team, not necessarily with a lot of experience, but a lot of talent and we just have to put it all together.”

PHC’s rare hiccup this season came in the Dudley Eve final where where Cougars beat them 1-0. The same four teams in the semi-finals were also the last four in the Dudley Eve when Cougars beat Town and PHC outplayed North Village.

In Boxing Day’s first Friendship semi-final at PHC Field, North Village take on Cougars, probably the surprise team this season after their Dudley Eve win and good run in the league.

Village, the first winners of the competition in 1965-66, are now tied with Somerset for the most wins after the Trojans’ victory over PHC in last season’s final. Zebras will join them on 11 wins if they win the trophy at Wellington Oval on New Year’s Day in the final.

BAA are hoping to reach their second straight Shield final when they meet First Division leaders Social Club at PHC Field on Monday. In the second semi final St George’s will have the New Year’s Day final at their home field, Wellington Oval, as a huge incentive ahead of their semi-final match on Tuesday against neighbours St David’s.

St George’s beat their local rivals three times last season, including a win in the Shield last season. However, St David’s got one back on them in the league in October. The Shield matches start at noon.

n The First Division match between X-Roads and Wolves, postponed on December 4, has been rescheduled for Monday, January 2 at Garrison Field, kicking off at 12.30pm.