Martonmere Cup champions Wolves and Devonshire Cougars will be out to prove who has the biggest bite when they clash in the second of two intriguing semi-finals at Devonshire Rec tonight (9.00 p.m.).

Soccer fans should be treated to another interesting match-up earlier when North Village and Dandy Town lock horns at 7.00.

After winning the prestigious competition for the first time last season, Wolves will attempt to move a step closer towards duplicating that achievement at the expense of Cougars.

However, the latter are coming off a comprehensive triumph on Sunday, albeit against mediocre opponents St. George's Colts at Wellington Oval, and should enter tonight's game with some confidence. Cougars left with an easy 2-0 victory after schemers Heys Wolffe and Raymond Beach had torn the home side's defence to shreds by teaming up to score the goals.

But this time they face a more formidable Wolves defence, one unlikely to be as hospitable as the East Enders.

After Wolves' crushing 3-0 away loss to PHC on Sunday, coach Dennis Brown has called on his team to pick themselves up and prove why they are the champions. But he recognises Cougars' improvement this season and admits they will be tough opponents.

"I have seen them play a couple of times this season and we have our work cut out," said Brown.

"If we go out lethargic like we did against PHC on Sunday then we are going to get our butts kicked. We simply have to remind ourselves that we are the defending champions and we have to show the fans why we won the trophy last season.

"I want to see an overall improvement from Wolves. We had easy chances that we missed during the early stages on Sunday that would have changed the complexion of the game had we scored . . . and those sort of misses put pressure on the defence.

"But I make no excuses because PHC beat us. We laid down and complained about the heat when both teams had to play under the same conditions.

"If we are to retain the Martonmere Cup we have to be more focused than we were on Sunday."

If Brown's message doesn't get through, the speedy duo of Wolffe and Beach could take advantage and run rampant before the home fans.

Andrew Bascome's Dandy Town started the season off with silverware by beating FA Cup holders Devonshire Colts 2-1 in the Charity Cup five weeks ago. Now they'll be striving to add another trophy to their cupboard.

But tonight's task will be tough as they try to brush off a North Village team who have got off to an impressive two-win start in the Premier League and are tipped to be among the title chasers this season.