Fireworks can be expected at BAA Field tonight as soccer's Martonmere Cup competition kicks off with a doubleheader.

All four teams involved will be eager to get off to a flying start to the new season with the 7.00 p.m. curtain-raiser featuring defending champions Wolves and traditional cup giants PHC a particularly intriguing contest.

Last season saw the two sides engage in two goal-filled epics as they ended up sharing the spoils, and with the straight ahead styles both are intent on executing, tonight may well see more of the same.

Newly-installed Zebras coach Mark Wade is anxious to get his feet wet as the man in charge on the sidelines, and views tonight's encounter as a prime opportunity for he and his staff to see just how the squad are accepting the new philosophy which, in truth, isn't much different from the old. In terms of the Martonmere, and it being the first game of the season, I'm looking to see some glimpses of what we've been working on in pre-season training," said Wade, who occupied the role of assistant to Sammy Swan last season. "We're also looking forward to resuming our battles with Wolves.

"You might recall last year we had some really epic clashes, with a 3-3 draw, 2-2 draw, some pretty exciting and entertaining matches, so I'm hoping we can resume that this year.

"Wolves are just as aggressive as we are, and bring a great energy to the game as do we. So when we meet on the pitch you get an explosion. But it's always fair and friendly, in that it never gets nasty, but it is aggressive and full of entertainment value."

Taking into account his new status in the coaching hot seat, as well as what he says will be a new-look outfit, Wade, said that the match had some importance despite it being so early in the campaign. It was, he said, a means of sending out a message.

"Tomorrow night (tonight) is important in that we have to set some sort of tone," explained Wade. "Everybody will be looking and saying how PHC has a new coach, some young players, they'll probably see some new faces tomorrow, and it's important for us to make a statement to the rest of the league."

Wade's last comments contrasted those made by Wolves coach Dennis Brown in a recent interview, with the latter wary of any success enjoyed in what is more of a preseason competition based on experience last year and during his own playing days.

After being crowned champs in 2000, Wolves disappeared for the much of the remainder of the season, barely avoiding having to play off to remain a part of the top flight.

"I thought that last year our Martonmere campaign was great, but we went a little overboard in letting it get to our heads, in terms of winning our first trophy, and it affected the rest of the season," Brown said. "I mean, even during my playing days the feeling was that the team that won the Martonmere Trophy had a lot of trouble for the rest of the season.

". . . I love to win, but at this stage I want to see us implement a lot of the things we've tried in training."

PHC welcome back Stephen Astwood following his brief flirtation with a move to Somerset, while Wolves will feature a premier striker of their own in the form of Khari Sharrieff, who likewise decided against transferring to another outfit in favour of staying home.

Tonight's nightcap features last year's beaten finalist Devonshire Colts against Devonshire Cougars in a match-up of neighbourhood rivals.