for close encounters of the fourth and fifth variety.

The two teams, respectively the current league leaders and last year's champions, meet twice over the next three days, first in tonight's Friendship Trophy semi final at Devonshire Rec (9.00) and then in a First Division contest at BAA on Saturday.

In three previous meetings this season, only one goal has separated the sides -- and that clinched Vasco's narrow victory in the Dudley Eve final second leg.

There's no reason to think that the next two matches will be anything other than equally tight.

Says Vasco coach John Rebello: "Apart from last year, when Colts punished us 3-0 at PHC, the games between the sides have always been decided by the odd goal. Even when one of the sides has not got its strongest side out they've always managed to hang in there.

"It becomes like a game of chess between the coaches. After a couple of minutes they can see the way the other team is playing, what their strong points are and can shut them down.'' With Vasco's success so far this season -- they have one trophy in the cabinet and have the chance to secure three more -- Rebello knows all about familiarity: When his side disposed of defending champions Boulevard in the quarter finals of the FA Cup last Sunday, it was the fifth time they had met in the current campaign.

But it's not the kind of familiarity that breeds contempt. Of Colts, he says: "They are a championship calibre team. They're tough to beat and solid all round. Mathematically, they still have a chance of retaining their title.

"At the very least they'll have something to prove.'' Indeed, back-to-back wins against a side that has now gone 18 games without defeat would go some way to consoling Colts fans who have seen their hopes of holding on to the First Division championship slip away alarmingly since the turn of the year.

But the unbeaten run is something Rebello prefers not to focus on. "We try not to think about it,'' he says. "We don't want to get distracted so we avoid all talk about that in training or in the changing room. We just try to take care of the job in hand.'' That approach is one he emphasises, whatever the name of the competition.

"We're looking to win every game. We're in line for a triple crown, the opportunity exists for that to happen, so every game is crucial, every game is like a final.'' And talking of finals, there's a good chance that Vasco and Colts could end the season with a sixth meeting -- to decide the destiny of the FA Cup.

The pair avoided each other in the draw for the semi-finals on Monday and must be favoured to see off North Village and Devonshire Cougars respectively. The prospect fills Rebello with a sense of unease. "The worst part of it is that if we win these two games and then meet in the Cup Final, the law of averages says you're going to lose sooner or later,'' he says.

In tonight's 7.00 opener east end neighbours St. George's and St. David's will meet in the Shield semi-final.

Last season's two relegated teams will meet for the third time this season, with St. David's having won both previous league meetings which should make them favourites.