to the top four teams for the Dudley Eve Trophy, making Sunday a crucial period for several teams.

An on-form Devonshire Colts outfit, on the bubble in fourth place at present, host league leaders North Village in the day's most intriguing match-up at Frog Lane, with each out to fortify their bids.

Colts got the better of the Red Devils back on October 19 during the Martonmere Cup and lately have been among the hottest clubs around, scoring at an alarming rate -- 11 goals in their last four matches -- offsetting deficiencies in their defence.

Club president Nelson Bascome went on the record as saying that his is the "team to beat and they'll (North Village) have to come at us''.

Still, it is Colts who normally take the game to their opponents in an all-out attacking style, sure to please but often at high risk.

Ellington Weldon leads a front-line having definite quick-strike ability and one that is often well supported by a midfield likely to contain the likes of Mark Ray, Vic Ball and Germaine Burt.

Meanwhile, Joe Trott's Village men will be looking to seize on any mistakes and, in skipper Elliott Jennings, big Philip Clarke and the ever-improving Kevin Jennings, they have the personnel to do so.

Village contrast the kamikaze approach of Colts with a more controlled tempo that could frustrate their young opponents.

A rock-hard defence marshalled by Derek Bell has been tightfisted to say the least, allowing a mere two goals in six league matches and allowing them to win the close matches.

For Village, who are even with Dandy Town and Boulevard on nine points, a win would all but secure them a berth in the Christmas tournament and a loss while detrimental, would not put them completely out of the picture.

Colts, though, with three teams breathing down their neck, need this match to further legitimise their status.

St. George's, one of the aforementioned trio, have raised some eyebrows with their ability to scrap away for points and this week plans to be no different as they again carry the underdog tag over to St. David's where they face Boulevard.

The east-enders would hope the Blazers to be `punch-drunk' from the mid-week mauling administered to them by PHC in the Friendship Trophy in order that they could possibly spring a surprise.

Speaking of the Zebras, they too make a short hop, but to Southampton Oval where they tackle a revitalised Rangers in a local derby where each aim to get well at the other's expense and move from the division basement.

In neighbouring Warwick, reigning league champions Somerset visit Vasco needing to win this one badly if they are to stand a chance of qualifying to defend the Dudley Eve Trophy.

The Trojans light has dimmed since last season's success emphasised by their occupying sixth place at the moment.

Troubled by poor finishing, Dandy Town may get in some much-needed target practice when they welcome whipping boys St. David's to the Hornets' nest.