PREMIER FRIENDSHIP TROPHY

Dandy Town v North Village

Dudley Eve champions Dandy Town will tackle defending Friendship champions North Village in the match of the day at Somerset Cricket Club tomorrow.

This will be Shaun Goater's first match in charge of his beloved Village as he prepares to drag them out of the slump they are currently embedded.

Failing to make the holiday Dudley Eve tournament might prove to be a blessing in disguise as it has given the defending champions time to regroup and assess what needs to be done to get back in the title race.

Fresh off their Dudley triumph, Town go back to the venue where they won that title and will be looking for a repeat performance if they are to knock down the defending champions.

With Heys Wolffe and Raymond Beach finding the back of the net regularly as of late, Town may have the edge.

Prediction: Dandy Town 2-1

Southampton Rangers v

Devonshire Colts

This is a tale of two sides experiencing different league campaigns and both will be looking to start 2009 with a victory.

For Colts, it will be a case of getting the first win under their belt to kick-start what has been in large part a hugely disappointing campaign.

A cup win against Rangers could give them the confidence they need in their quest to make it out of the relegation zone.

With the loss of suspended coach Ray Jones an obvious blow, Aljame Zuill and Keishon Smith will need to lead by example if the club are to start the second half of the season on the right note.

Rangers will be anxious to advance into the next round of the competition and show that they can maintain the form displayed in the first half of the season.

But extra-time could be on the cards in this one if their last encounter is anything to go by.

Prediction: Colts 2-1

Devonshire Cougars v PHC Zebras

These two sides need to shake off their Dudley Eve disappointment when they square off at St. David's.

Cougars lost twice to winners Dandy Town over the Christmas period and will be looking to return to winning ways against the league champions.

Having beaten PHC twice already this year, including a 2-1 triumph that knocked Zebras out of the Dudley Eve, Cougars will look to heap more misery on their western foes and send them crashing out of another cup.

They rested key players in the squad for what is the bigger picture in many people's eyes, the league, so getting back into their stride may take some time.

Zebras were trying to use the Christmas tournament to get over their miserable league campaign.

They will be looking for anything to get them on the right track after a surprisingly slow start to their season on all fronts.

Winning one of the trophies that eluded them last year should fire them up along with the fact that they have yet to beat Cougars so far this year.

With key players rested through the holiday, they should come out ready to make a sustained cup run and redeem their 7-3 drubbing from North Village in last year's final.

Prediction: Cougars 3-1

Boulevard v Hamilton Parish

The runners-up in the Dudley Eve final on penalties, Boulevard will want to get straight back on course against a Parish side looking to play spoiler when the two sides clash at Devonshire Rec.

After Blazers' energy-draining performance in an epic final, the big question will be whether they have anything left in the tank to refocus and switch their attention to another tournament at such short notice.

Parish over-achieved in the first half of the season and with a lengthy break to relax and regroup, a cup run could see them pick up where they left off and gain momentum for the bigger games that lie ahead.

Goalkeeper Nigel Burgess will be a big factor in the result of this match as his performances have kept Parish above the survival zone.

Prediction: Boulevard 2-0

FIRST DIVISION SHIELD

Ireland Rangers v St. David's

Defending champions St. David's begin their quest for back-to-back titles when they face Ireland Rangers in what should be an exciting affair.

The Islanders had a short holiday tournament, being the first side knocked out of the Dudley Eve and will be searching for a quick recovery.

On the other hand, Rangers should be rested and ready to make a run at all remaining silverware for the rest of the season and could take a giant step towards a Shield Cup triumph by knocking out the champions.

In the end, however, St. David's might prove too strong for their opponents.

Prediction: St. David's 3-2

Somerset Eagles v X'Roads

Eagles will be aiming to put their holiday tournament woes behind them.

After suffering heartache at the hands of their West End rivals, Trojans, they will try to make the long trek back to the Shield final, where they lost to St. David's last year.

Darren Dowling had somewhat of a quiet Christmas and will be licking his chops come tomorrow, looking to add to his already high goal tally so far this season.

X'Roads could figure to be competitive in this match if Eagles come to the game not fully committed.

Prediction: Eagles 3-0

BAA v St. George's Colts

First Division Dudley Eve champions St. George's will continue their attempt to lift every piece of silverware available to them when they face off against the Greens at Somerset Cricket Club.

They will return to their championship venue just days after their penalty shoot-out win full of confidence that they can make it through to the next round.

Tired legs may be a factor but adrenaline should be running high and success seems to be becoming a must for the East Enders.

BAA will do well to remain competitive and, barring a serious lapse from Colts, it should be a straightforward win.

Prediction: Colts 2-0

Prospect United v Somerset

Somerset will come out all guns blazing as they look to shake off their penalty shoot-out loss to St. George's.

Finishing runners-up in the holiday tournament will have gone a long way to showing that they have the ability, but consistency is needed if they are to make a run at promotion.

Grabbing a Shield victory would go some way to putting their loss behind them and refocusing on what lies ahead.

Prospect are coming off a hard fought draw last weekend against Ireland Rangers and will look to continue their own consistency.

They could catch Trojans napping if they haven't fully recovered from their previous game and might be a tough nut to crack.

Prediction: Trojans 1-0