tonight with rookie coach Earl Basden hoping to inspire Southampton Rangers in the opener of a double header at Devonshire Rec.

Southampton take on North Village in the first game at 7.00 p.m. while the second clash at 9.00 features champions Dandy Town against Wolves.

As Basden moves into the Rangers hot seat to replace John Tucker, he's hoping that the many years he spent as a player with St. George's combined with two seasons as an assistant at Southampton will stand him in good stead.

And like all of the coaches involved in tonight's games, Basden will be striving to get his side off to a winning start, realising that an early victory will do much to instil confidence among his players.

"It's a tough season opener when you have to play in a top competition like this, one we know is going to be challenging. But we are hopeful that we will be competitive throughout,'' said Basden yesterday.

"We've had a lot of practice matches this summer but this is the real thing now and the pressure is far more intense. It's important that we get off to a good start.'' While many have already pencilled in North Village as the team to beat this season -- based mainly on the return of stalwart and centre-back Kentoine Jennings and midfielder Tafari Outerbridge from Vasco -- Basden reckons that little will separate the teams as they both begin a long campaign.

"I figure we are all equal starting out,'' he said. "True, they did pick up a quality player in Kentoine but he will take a while to gel with the rest of the team and they have some of their younger players away in school. Maybe we can capitalise on that.'' Southampton's strength lies in the fact that they have managed to retain the bulk of last year's side with the return of forward Ascento Russell from Vasco an added bonus.

Russell will only be with the team until Christmas before heading abroad to school, but Basden can also expect goals from Herbie Dillas, Craig Darrell and Nashon Smith.

These players will be called on to fill a void left by Rohaan Simons (away at school) and Janeiro Tucker, who is not expected to make a significant contribution this season.

In fact, Tucker will probably not play at all, opting instead to assist Basden and possibly have a troublesome knee injury corrected through surgery.

The midfield will be built around Eugene Pitt, Jason Raynor, Nashon Burrows and Omarie Hart who has returned from school after missing last season.

Veteran Pernell Brangman, Ryan Belboda and Donnie Charles will be key figures in defence while long-serving goalkeeper Randy Darrell will also be back.

While Southampton and Village are expected to be involved in a close match, defending champions Dandy Town are favoured over Wolves in the second game.

Town, who have encouraged coach Mark Trott to return following his departure at the end of last season, have lost centre-back Dano Outerbridge and forward McLee Smith to PHC but have in turn taken on defender Earl Richardson and midfielder Vorhees Astwood.