Last weekend reigning Premier Division champions North Village discovered it isn't going to be easy defending their crown.

The reds suffered a 1-0 defeat, their first of the new season, against a ten-man Devonshire Cougars side in their own backyard.

Tomorrow, Village's quest for a three-peat of league championships will again be severely tested against Boulevard Blazers at BAA Field.

Only a single goal separated these two teams in Martonmere Cup action last month, and in fact, had Blazers capitalised on a few more of their chances things could have very well panned out differently.

However, it's goals that win matches and it's in this department where Village hold a slight edge over their more colourful opponents with Ralph Bean Jr, arguably one of the best strikers in the land, again expected to provide the impetus up front.

Village have also yet to field their strongest team for varying reasons, while last Sunday's loss to Cougars may have effectively signalled an end to Kentoine Jennings' self-imposed exile from the team.

It is unclear, however, whether or not Keith Jennings, recovering from a slight injury he suffered in Village's 3-2 Martonmere Cup triumph over Blazers, will be fit for tomorrow's long-awaited clash while Clay Smith has yet to make his presence felt in the team.

Blazers, meanwhile, welcomed young Tekeyhi Walker back into the fold last weekend and the burly player wasted little time delivering the goods, scoring his team's equaliser against Dandy Town with his very first touch of the ball.

Blazers have got off to a fairly good start this season and last week dug deep to grab a crucial point off Town away from home.

Tomorrow's clash was originally scheduled to get underway on October 12, however, referee Leroy Wilson later decided to call it off after none of his assistants turned up for the match.

Village are winless thus far, having only played the one league match.

The remainder of the Premier Division, meanwhile, have the weekend off.

Turning to First Division play, in a battle between two unbeaten teams, Ireland Rangers host Paget at Malabar in what promises to be an entertaining affair.

Paget have raised many eyebrows so far this season with successive victories over St.David's and last season's FA Cup finalists Prospect. However, they can expect to find their work cut out for them against a Rangers side, now coached by former West Ham United striker Clyde (Bunny) Best, who seem to have regained their scoring touch in front of goal.

Elsewhere tomorrow, St.George's take on St.David's at Wellington Oval in all east end derby, while PHC are heavily favoured over Social Club at Southampton Oval and Somerset Trojans, likewise, are expected to come away with the goods against winless Wolves at White Hill Field.