Martonmere Cup semi-final action takes centre stage at Devonshire Rec. tonight as four of the teams who have shown early season promise look to take the next step towards clinching the season's first major piece of silverware.

Kicking off tonight's action at 7 p.m. will be perennial rivals PHC Zebras and Somerset Trojans in a match that could swing either way given the form both teams have shown so far.

Both emerged victorious over the weekend as Trojans crushed early league leaders Devonshire Colts 3-0 and Zebras went top of the table after scraping by Somerset Eagles 1-0.

During the last meeting between these two sides two weeks ago, Zebras handed Trojans a 2-0 defeat on their home turf.

PHC's Steven Astwood and Tokia Russell's availability remains questionable while Trojans' Marvin Belboda may also have to sit out the action as he recovers from bruised ribs suffered during the previous match against Zebras on October 20. Trojans' Curtis Grant is also expected to be out as he recovers from a leg injury.

In the nightcap, defending champions Devonshire Cougars and Devonshire Colts square off to determine the other finalists.

Cougars - as was the case last term - have gradually come into their own after suffering a 4-1 drubbing to Zebras in their opening Martonmere Cup encounter. They claimed a key scalp, ousting last year's finalists North Village 3-1 to lay claim to a semi-final berth.

Cougars are coming off an exciting 5-5 league draw against Village last Friday at the Den and if history repeats itself then they should again earn the right to challenge for the trophy which they won for the first time last season.

However, 'keeper Ricardo Brangman and Kyjuan Saltus are both expected to be missing because of military duty (see story this page) while it remains to be seen whether player/coach Shawn Smith has recovered in time for tonight's match after suffering a kick to the shin last Friday night.

Colts will have to put on a far better performance than they produced during Sunday's 3-0 loss to Trojans if they are to prevail. It also remains to be seen whether key defender McKonnen Hollis and top poacher Aljame Zuill have both recovered from knocks suffered during Sunday's loss.