Can a Zebra change its stripes? The answer to the aforementioned question may be an obvious `NO', but PHC certainly hope there is a marked change in manner of result for their second match of the young soccer season than their first.

Thoroughly outplayed by North Village, who literally `shot the lights out' in a 3-0 Charity Cup triumph, the reigning Premier League champions are anxious for a return to winning ways.

Two weeks have passed since the opening defeat, allowing coach Sammy Swan to get his charges better prepared for a run at the second trophy on offer, that being the Martonmere Cup.

The Warwick club's quest commences during tonight's feature match (9 p.m.), as action returns under the lights at BAA with Wolves standing as their opponents.

Dennis Brown's Hermitage Road outfit are also still smarting from defeat their last time out, Dandy Town doing the honours on that night.

Wolves desire is clear to go farther than they did a year ago. And considering that they finished as runners up to Town on that fateful Thursday afternoon, the importance of an outright victory tonight grows in significance.

A loss by Wolves would eliminate them from the competition at the first hurdle, while confirming both PHC and Town for the semi-finals.

What Wolves appear to need most is a goalscorer, a fact understated by their inability to find the net -- or even come close -- against Town.

Nakia Smith likely provides their best attacking option, however an out-and-out poacher he is not, leaving Wolves in a score-by-committee scenario.

The same is not true for the Zebras, who have a clear leader in the category, with national squad striker Stephen Astwood their go-to man.

Astwood will no doubt be anxious to resume his goalscoring exploits at the expense of Wolves, but will have to find a way through a stubborn defence.

Tonight's opening match (7 p.m.) has Somerset seeing action for the very first time this season, having been late additions to the competition with the collapse of Vasco da Gama.

Not much is being expected of the Trojans, who are firmly in the midst of rebuilding a once proud franchise boasting the title `Silver City'.

Those days seem like decades ago, with the west enders barely able to secure crumbs, let alone gleaming silverware.

Colts, the opposition for the night, though would do well not to underestimate their opponents under new head coach Norbert Simons, especially as they have not exactly shown the why and how they seized three trophies during 1999-2000.