Calypso king Arrow penned the classic cut `Hot! Hot! Hot!' and judging by the way North Village have kicked off the new soccer season it may well have been they to whom he was referring.

Indeed the Red Devils have sizzled in their two matches thus far, winning their first match 3-0 and following this with two equally rampant 3-1 triumphs. And it was not only the manner of ease in which they brushed aside their opponents, but who they were, with league champions PHC and Friendship Trophy and Dudley Eve winners Devonshire Colts among the victims.

However, while fans of the club have been quick to sing songs of praise, coach Scott Morton is nowhere near prepared to anoint them kings.

"We haven't performed at our best yet, basically I still think the players come on the field a bit afraid to execute what we try to do in training,'' said Morton, who took over this season from Kenny Thompson. "But I think the depth of our squad compensates for those times when we're not playing up to our best. When you can have players like Kentoine Jennings and Dwight Warren on the bench you know your team can only get better.

"I'm not surprised at all by the scoreline which we beat those teams, because, like I said before, last year it was supposed to be the same, but for whatever reason that didn't come off.

"Every game we could have had at least three or four goals on our opponents and this year with our direct approach we're making our chances count.'' Morton has tried to inject a bit more `bite' into Village's method of play, encouraging them to attack more.

Combine this with an penchant for keeping possession and it could mean definite trouble for opposing defences. And judging by the scoreline in the first two matches it would seem that they are adapting well.

However, while fans may shower them with accolades they should not expect the coach to be nearly so kind.

"After the last two games I told them that I wasn't pleased with our play at all,'' said Morton. "At certain points in the games, yes, but on a consistent basis overall, no I wasn't pleased at all.

"So I never go into the next day's training and say well done and that sort of thing, it's still a lot to work on and I try to let them know that at all times.

"I tell them that I wasn't satisfied with certain things and this is what we need to do to work on it, so they never really see my satisfaction as far as what they're doing on the field, at certain times I give encouragement, but the majority of the time I'm not totally pleased and I try to keep them grounded in that sense.

"One of the players said to me after the game the other night `Coach, can we not train as often now? and I said no way, because teams are coming after us now and, if anything, we'll train more.'' Village's third victory came against Somerset, the weak link in Group One, and guaranteed their passage into the semi-finals.

Asked if Village could go all the way Morton expressed caution, saying: "So far so good, but I like to take one game at a time. There's still a long way to go, teams are obviously getting accustomed to the way we play, they watch and do their homework.

"I feel that if we keep on doing the things that we're doing we'll be okay.'' FAST FACTS Head coach: Scott Morton Home field: Bernard Park Team colours: Red/White Key arrivals: Keith Jennings Key departures: Cory Bean Predicted finish: First 1999-2000 finish: Second 1999-2000 honours: FA Cup winners, First Division runners-up Tigerish tackler: Village's midfield dynamo Jamaul Boyles (right) challenges Colts' Jermel Belboda.