Devonshire Colts will be hoping that the third time is a charm, when they face off against PHC tonight at Devonshire Rec. (9 p.m.), for rights to the final of the Dudley Eve Trophy.

In two meetings thus far this season against the Zebras, Colts have failed to achieve victory -- losing once and drawing -- despite holding the upper hand in terms of possession and scoring opportunities during each contest.

Indeed, Colts have had little trouble creating avenues to score, but have been sorely let down in the area of execution among the final third, where Marvin Belboda, Aljame Zuill and Quincy Aberdeen simply must do better.

So it was on Boxing Day against Dandy Town, where chances were made only to be squandered time and time again, with Colts allowing an opposition that played with 10 men for nearly all of the second half to force a penalty shoot-out lottery.

And this was certainly not lost on captain Shannon Burgess, who sounded a clear alarm that, if Colts -- three-time Dudley Eve winners and reigning champs -- are to successfully defend or capture this, or any other title, they must convert a higher ratio of chances to goals.

"It's all about scoring goals,'' said Burgess, the team's second leading scorer despite his occupation as sweeper. "Sammy Swan summed it up the other night saying, `The team that scores wins'.

"We had quite a few chances (against Town), especially in the second half, and if we put those chances in the back of the net then the game's ours.

"We have to settle down and play the style that we want to play.

"Today (Tuesday) they kept it close and a little bit of panic set in and it looked like they had a man advantage. That's a mental thing and we have to break that mental barrier that's holding us back.'' Burgess added that there would have to be a decided improvement if Colts are to finally put aside the Zebras.

However, he noted the Zebras to be vulnerable in certain areas, and it will be those areas that his side will seek to exploit to their advantage.

"PHC is a pretty explosive team, so we have to bring our `A' game if we hope to be in the final,'' he said. "Without naming them, there's one or two guys we need to eliminate on their team, and there's one or two things we need to take advantage of in areas they might be a little weak.

"But it's all about execution. If we come and execute the plan the way it's set out, which we haven't done yet, I think we should be alright.'' After playing two matches in four days, PHC and Colts will make it three matches in six tonight as they continue the debilitating marathon run that is the Dudley Eve format.

Hence it may well be more a matter of fitness and depth as to who eventually triumphs and goes through to Saturday's final -- first leg -- where the challenge gets even greater, and face a well rested North Village outfit.

"It'll probably take its toll, but I think we're a pretty fit team,'' said Burgess. "PHC's played the same amount of games over the same time period, so, if anything, North Village will have the advantage over whoever makes the final.

"But we have to put it all on the line on Thursday night and, if successful, try to recover in time for the final.'' While Colts have reported no significant injury woes, six-time winners PHC have serious concerns regarding top forward Stephen Astwood, who was limping badly on a sore hamstring following Tuesday's match, while starting full-back Corey Dowling is also doubtful.

Tonight's match will be preceded at 7 p.m. by an Under-21 match featuring Southampton Rangers going against either St. David's or Devonshire Cougars -- it was unknown at press-time who had won the latter contest.