Devonshire Colts want to overcome a one-year jinx. St. George's would not mind at all if it continues.

The situation may be resolved on Sunday at Wellington Oval as fourth-placed Devonshire face St. George's, currently sixth, a team which defeated them twice last season -- both times 1-0 -- effectively destroying the former's chances of winning the First Division title.

"The losses last year should be motivation enough for the team,'' said Devonshire coach Lorenzo Symonds yesterday. "I guess we'll have to focus a bit more this time. I don't know why we weren't up for those games.'' Each side is within earshot of a shot at making the Dudley Eve Trophy, involving the top four teams at the midway point.

Four points separate first place from sixth, but only two stand between sixth and fourth and if successful in the remaining two games, the east enders could find themselves for the first time included in the Dudley Eve Trophy.

"We just need to go out and win the game,'' said Greg (Brutus) Foggo, coach of St. George's. "I want to go and finish as high as possible and the players definitely want to get there (Dudley Eve).

Foggo was critical of the Press for labelling results as upsets whenever his men defeated supposedly elite teams, indicating that his team was as capable as any in the league.

"We have more than an even chance of beating Colts or anybody,'' he said.

"Last year we held our own and the same thing this year.'' However, one area certainly warranting concern with regard to the team's performance to date is the lack of goal-scoring punch.

St. George's have scored just three goals in seven matches and have been largely kept afloat by a solid defence featuring Neil Paynter, Frankie Greaves, Andre Todd and Phillip Bailey along with Troy Hall between the goal-posts.

Greaves though will be absent from this encounter as he serves out a three-game suspension.

They have combined to allow five goals and will have to be at their best against the live-wire front line of Devonshire boasting Ellington Weldon, Keishon Smith and Quincey Aberdeen.

"I think our defence is one of the top in the league,'' added Foggo. "I'm just hopeful we can start to get it together up front. It was the same problem last year (lack of scoring) and it only came together late in the season.'' Other top matches on Sunday have deposed league leaders North Village hosting Dandy Town, who also have held the top spot -- albeit briefly -- this season.

Boulevard invade the west end in search of a win against Somerset that would confirm their place in the Christmas tournament.

St. David's, meanwhile, face Southampton at Lord's and PHC entertain Vasco.

LORENZO SYMONDS -- "The losses last year should be motivation enough for the team.''