Are the Zebras as bad as their seventh-place position in the Coca-Cola First Division, or merely sleeping giants? Form-wise these two teams would appear at opposite ends of the sporting spectrum, but cup games are known to be great equalisers and so under that spectre the sides enter tonight's Friendship Trophy clash at BAA field (9 p.m.).

Streaks are made to be broken, while slumber is only a temporary state of being, and games, no matter what the talent range of its competitors, are still determined on the field.

Just ask Boulevard, who in November, and as the then league leaders, were comprehensively booted from the Friendship by the young Zebras by a 3-0 margin.

The feat was duplicated on Sunday in the league, this time while a similarly favoured Blazers outfit watched helplessly as PHC came from a goal down to win 2-1 in the closing minutes.

Town coach Mark Trott was taking his team's spate of recent success with a grain of salt, preferring to look forward rather than to dwell on what has already been decided.

"We don't even look at the streak, it never comes into consideration,'' explained Trott, whose men remain in contention far all three remaining trophies. "The players have made a commitment to take one game at a time and as fast as they come, we forget about them just as quickly.

"When we do look back at previous games (in training discussions) we try to pick out the bad things and look at it as we still have a lot more things we can improve.'' Trott noted that it was often hard to avoid thinking of the fact that they have won so many matches in succession, but the goal was to remain focussed and reflect back on it once the season has run its course.

"You can get caught up in the hype and all the things the media says,'' continued Trott. "But what the players are learning, from a psychological point of view, is that out of all the things they say about you, you still have to keep your wits about you.'' PHC's number of consecutive wins pale dramatically in comparison -- one game to be precise, after losing two of their three league matches before that -- but history remains on their side, having enjoyed much success in all cup competitions over the years.

Coach Alfred Eve has been a member of many of those vintage campaigns and yesterday, while wary of Town's strengths, saw no reason why his team should feel overawed by their opponents.

"It's a situation where no one has lost yet... the game hasn't been played,'' said Eve. "I'm sure Dandy Town aim to win and likewise we're going out to win the match. That is always our intentions, although it doesn't always turn out that way.'' Solid defence and seizing of opportunities would be the key, noted Eve, who also suggested that they would need to shut down the Hornets attack and midfield if they were to re-emerge on top.

A Second Division Shield semifinal match featuring Hamilton Parish and runaway league leaders Devonshire Cougars will get things rolling at 7 p.m., with the latter heavily favoured to book a place in the final. Parish will be without experienced defender Chris Caisey who was sent off on Sunday.