The first half of the 1995-96 soccer season comes to close on Sunday and while six First Division teams will be allowed to enjoy a tranquil Christmas period, four others will brace for a hectic time battling for rights to hold the Dudley Eve Trophy.

Three of the spots have already been secured, with leaders Vasco, North Village and Southampton all confirmed.

Village can play a role in deciding the other member as they face a fourth placed Dandy Town, fresh from a 13-1 battering of last place side Somerset Eagles, at Bernard Park.

Town have 12 points, compared to 11 for St. George's -- fifth -- and need a victory to make certain their entry into what has become a veritable financial `stocking stuffer' for the Bermuda Football Association (BFA).

Ordinarily a match-up such as this would rate a toss-up, however, the Red Devils enter just as their name infers, `running hot', having gone unbeaten in six matches and winners of five in a row.

Included among the five victories were last week's 2-1 beating of Vasco and a midweek triumph over Somerset -- 1-0.

All factors considered, Village rate a slight edge, although Town would surely like to think differently.

The Hornets would hope that Darron Simons, the purveyor of great destruction against Eagles with a double hat-trick, again can take up where he left off, while fellow front runners Ascento Russell, who netted a hat-trick, and Khari Sharrieff (two) can likewise provide assistance.

Village may still be without schemer Elliott Jennings, but they retain talents such as the league's co-leading scorer Sean Dill, Nakia Smith, and Jamel Smith up front.

Their defence has a league best six goals against, but will need all their wits about them to thwart Town, who possess the top attack -- one which has plundered 23 goals thus far, most of them against Eagles.

Another intriguing contest has St. George's entertaining Vasco at Wellington Oval.

While Vasco have already booked a spot, the east enders retain a mathematical chance and would dearly love to duplicate the 2-1 defeat they dealt a then unbeaten Vasco outfit on November 20, to boot them from the Friendship Trophy competition.

On the season the teams have split two matches -- Vasco downed St. George's 1-0 in the semi-finals of the Martonmere Cup competition, so this will be somewhat of a rubber match.

Expected back in the fold for Vasco this week are forward Corey Hill and goal-keeper Timmy Figureido from suspension, while Irving Burgess remains questionable after missing last week's match through injury.

A key void for St. George's is at the heart of the defence, where they are sure to be hurt by the absence of Neil Paynter. Paynter will serve a one match ban after being ejected against Southampton for a professional foul.

Meanwhile, remaining fixtures see PHC hosting Southampton, Devonshire Colts travelling to face Somerset and looking to edge their way further from the relegation zone, and the hapless Eagles at home to Boulevard, who should finally be able to claim victory in league play.

The defending champion Blazers have so far amassed a whopping seven draws together with a loss from eight matches, earning the reputation as `draw specialists'.