They’re in second place in the Premier Division and still in with a chance of reaching the final of the Premier’s Dudley Eve Trophy — but Somerset Trojans were not exactly full of Christmas cheer over the holiday.

Following their closely-fought 1-0 defeat at the hands of Boulevard last Friday night in Somerset, coach Dennis Brown was far from amused by the lacklustre nature of his side’s performance.

Even still, forcing them out onto the training pitch on Christmas Day for an extra practice session might at first glance appear a rather draconian response to their early Dudley Eve setback — though Trojans goalkeeper Timmy Figureido is in no doubt that they needed a vigorous kick up the backside.

The boys from the West End play last year’s triple crown winners North Village tonight at 9 p.m. at Devonshire Rec. as part of yet another Dudley Eve double-header.

The winners of that game will go on to play Premier Division leaders Boulevard on Saturday night at Somerset — where a place in the final against hat-trick hero Kwame Steede and his unbeaten Devonshire Cougars outfit will be at stake.

“Dennis got us in over Christmas for a training session and we’re all aware that we are not playing as well as we can,” said Figureido.

“Against Boulevard our passing was poor and we just couldn’t get anything going. The potential is there, without a doubt, and we have some very talented players in our team. When we’re playing to our potential it is something to see and there are not too many teams in Bermuda who can live with us.

“But for some reason the consistency is just not there at the moment. We’re second in the league so it’s not like we’re panicking or anything — we just know that we can do a lot better and hopefully there will be an improvement in the games we’ve got coming up.”

Without injured national team midfielder Stevie Astwood last Friday, who is expected to be fit for tonight’s clash at The Den, Trojans clearly lacked a a cutting edge — their attacks consistently breaking down in the final third of the pitch despite the hustle and bustle of Jelani Scott and the excellent Dion Stovell.

“It’s unfortunate that Stevie was out but all being well he should be back against Village,” Figureido said.

“Stevie’s very important to us because he is very good at linking up the play in the centre of the pitch and without him we tend to struggle a little bit.

“The last time we played Village we lost 3-0 (in the Premier Division on November 27 at Bernard Park) so we know what a difficult game it’s going to be and we’re all really up for it.”

Like Trojans, Dwayne Adams’ North Village lost their opening Dudley Eve fixture — a classic 4-3 defeat to Cougars on December 19 - and will be keen to make up for that disappointment in front of another anticipated big crowd at Devonshire Rec. this evening.

In the Dudley Eve First Division competition, meanwhile, Southampton Rangers take on Wolves in the opening game at 7 p.m..

Rangers lost 4-0 to Devonshire Colts in their only match so far on December 19 while Wolves went down 3-1 last Friday to Ireland Rangers courtesy of a Henry Santucci hat-trick. RESULTS SO FAR

Premier Division

December 19

Devonshire Cougars 4 North Village 3

December 22

Somerset Trojans 0 Boulevard 1

Yesterday

Boulevard 2 Devonshire Cougars 3

>First Division

December 19

Southampton Rangers 0 Devonshire Colts 4

December 22

Ireland Rangers 3 Wolves 1B>Yesterday

Devonshire Colts 2 Ireland Rangers 0

SCHEDULE

Tonight

Southampton Rangers v Wolves (7 p.m. Devonshire Rec.)

North Village v Somerset Trojans (9 p.m. Devonshire Rec.Saturday night<$>

Ireland Rangers v Wolves or Southampton Rangers (7 p.m. Somerset)

Boulevard v Somerset Trojans or North Village (9 p.m. Somerset)

Moy<$>

Devonshire Colts v Ireland Rangers, Wolves or Southampton Rangers

(12.30 p.m. Wellington Oval)

Devonshire Cougars v Boulevard, Somerset Trojans or North Village

(2:30 p.m. Wellington Oval)