Champions PHC Zebras and challengers Dandy Town will attempt to close the gap on Premier Division leaders North Village on Saturday.

Hornets host struggling Hamilton Parish at Goose Gosling Field (9pm) while PHC are also at home to Devonshire Colts at PHC Field (3pm).

The pair will be looking to get back to winning ways having lost precious ground in their previous league outings.

Both teams are on 23 points, five adrift of pacesetters Rams, who host Devonshire Cougars at Bernard Park on Sunday (3pm).

Hornets, who have a game in hand on both Village and Zebras, suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Young Men’s Social Club last week while PHC fought back from a two-goal deficit to salvage a 2-2 draw against Cougars.

This allowed Rams to go clear at the summit after dispatching ten-men Parish 3-1 in front of their own fans at Bernard Park.

Ray Jones, the Colts coach, anticipates a tough outing against PHC.

“It will be a tough task but we are up for it,” he told The Royal Gazette. “They are well positioned in the league title race and they are at home, so it will be a tough match and we also know they will be looking to avenge the first game result.”

Hornets striker David Jones Jr is also up for his team’s clash with Parish, who are without suspended defender Quinn Outerbridge, having been sent off for dissent in his team’s loss against Rams.

“I am looking forward to the game and the team is ready to go back to winning ways to keep pushing for the title,” he said.

Also in action on Saturday are bottom side Wolves who host mid- table St George’s Colts at Bernard Park, while Social Club will be keen to maintain winnings ways at home to Paget at Police Field.

Parish are second from the bottom and, like Wolves, are in desperate need of points if they are to avoid relegation to the First Division. Hot Peppers are a point ahead of Wolves and five from safety.

Vince Minors Jr, who has replaced Marcelos Thomas as Wolves’ coach, considers every match vital for the Devonshire outfit.

“Every game is a cup final and we just have to dig deep and try to claw our way out of this situation that we have put ourselves in,” he said.

“We have had so many injuries, especially in our back line, so that does not help. But we have to do whatever it takes to get out of this hole.

“A lot of things haven’t been going our way, little silly mistakes. But hopefully we can right this ship and it’s going to take a team effort.”

First Division action also kicks off on Saturday with the contest pitting St David’s against visiting Somerset Eagles at Lord’s (3pm).

Leaders X-Roads, who top the standings by four-points over second place Boulevard, host Southampton Rangers at Lord’s (12.30pm).

Blazers are away to Robin Hood at Goose Gosling Field on Sunday, with that intriguing match-up also commencing at 12.30pm.