Somerset coach Larry Hunt has shown in him as the Trojans launch another bid for the Dudley Eve Trophy.

Back from school just a week, Thompson has already found himself amongst the goals. He has scored three in three appearances, including two on Tuesday night against Devonshire Colts in the opening round of the Dudley Eve Trophy.

Thompson thought his inclusion in the squad for last Thursday's match with PHC might cause some friction within the team, especially as he only returned to the island that same day.

But he has been warmly received by his team-mates and, after coming on as substitute in that 2-0 win, has started in the last two matches as the Trojans have notched up three straight wins, scoring 10 goals in the process.

"One of the things I wanted to clear up when I came back was how the players felt about me being back,'' Thompson said yesterday. "I didn't want it to be a case of some players not liking the idea of me getting in the squad right away. They talked about it before I came in and everybody was for it.'' Thompson transferred to Howard University in Washington, D.C. in the fall where he is majoring in Physical Education. And while he has lost his eligibility to play college soccer, the talented midfielder/forward has been playing once a week in the Washington Soccer League for Astericks, a team made up predominately of Trinidadians.

The Astericks were knocked out in the semifinals of the play-offs. When he returns on January 7, Thompson will be playing indoor soccer for another team.

"It's been going well, especially academically,'' the 28-year-old explained.

"Football is just exercise, something to take my mind off schoolwork.'' He admits his fitness was lacking a bit when he first came back, but gradually he is getting back into the groove.

"In the last two weeks I worked extra hard because I knew I was coming back and I'm just getting used to the pace of the matches. I felt it in the first two matches but with each match it's getting better.'' Somerset's best scoring streak of the season might have something to do with his inclusion, and he is determined to do his bit to help the team end their Dudley Eve Trophy jinx once and for all.

"We're definitely good enough to win it,'' he said. "I've seen five or six teams since I've been back and Somerset probably have the best squad as far as depth. You've seen what has happened to Devonshire Colts with their injuries.

"Since I've been back involved there has been great harmony and confidence in the team. Although everybody wants to play they have put the team first.

Hopefully, I can do my part for the team.

"I'm just having a good time and hopefully we can have a good time and win the cup. We've had some great results in the last three games and there is a lot of confidence in the team. We're kind of tired of that tag of not having won the Dudley Eve.'' The Trojans take on PHC in the winners' bracket of the double-elimination tournament, the feature match on Boxing Day at PHC Stadium (3.00).

Somerset were without Rodney Bascome against Colts because of an injury but Billy Kirkpatrick, who has had his own injury problems this season, made a rare appearance as a substitute.

The winners will go straight into the two-leg final instead of having to play again on Monday to determine the second spot for the final.

But while they got the best of the Zebras a week ago, things might be different now that PHC have broken out of their mild slump with their first-round win over North Village.

Devonshire Colts and North Village, the first finalists in 1978-79, face elimination when they square off in the 1.00 opener. The winner of that match will meet the loser of the Somerset-PHC match in the losers' semifinal on Monday at Southampton Oval (3.00).

Colts have hit a bad patch lately and their survival will depend on their ability to break through a Village defence that will likely feature Dwayne Adams in goal.

Their own defence has been looking suspect without key players like Chris Wright and Keenan Burchall, though Anthony Wilson, the former Dandy Town full-back, was there to lend his experience.

If either of the matches are level after full time the teams will go immediately into penalty kicks to break the deadlock.

REDEMPTION TIME? -- NORTH VILLAGE'S Michael Hansey, who caused the third goal in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to PHC, will want to be sharper against Ellington Weldon and Colts on Boxing day.