Are they true champions? Or simply a bunch of supremely skilled brats spoiled by past success? A 2-1 loss to North Village on Tuesday night in the semi-final of the Martonmere Cup appeared to bring out the worst in the Portuguese club, with their egos bursting to the fore as players and members of the coaching staff openly second guessed each other.

And culminating the defeat was the ejection from the bench of coach John Rebello, who had several choice words -- nearly all unprintable -- for linesman Richard Knight and referee Stuart Crockwell.

Their challenge tomorrow comes in the form of Dandy Town, and Vasco will need to calm the rage if they are to maintain their perfect 3-0-0 record and continue the march towards a repeat league championship.

St. John's will stand as the battleground and Vasco will be favoured, regardless of their collective state of mind, but if there is a time that they are vulnerable this is it.

Town have not exactly shown themselves to be world beaters -- not even close, actually -- but they remain capable of beating anyone on their day.

However, numerous shortcomings of the Hornets have been exposed this season, particularly in defence where coach Mark Trott has constantly shuffled his rear guard in search of the right combination.

It was thought that the return of Pernell Douglas to anchor the middle would be the cure all. That was until Boulevard -- Dwight Warren in particular -- exposed several gaping holes among the last line during Thursday night's Martonmere Cup semi-final, won 3-2 by the Blazers.

Further questions surround Town's attack, with leading goalscorer Darron Simons having limped off during the semi-final with a recurrence of a right knee ailment suffered during an earlier tussle with the Blazers, leaving his status questionable at best.

Coach Trott, though, was confident of a revival.

"I think that the team will bounce back, as it has before,'' he said. "They know what was done wrong overall and they just need to dig deep.'' Another match of intrigue features PHC entertaining Boulevard in a contest begging the question: `Which version will show up?' Neither have been models of consistency, performing in fits and starts. And while the young Zebras hold a loftier position in the standings, Boulevard have shown more class in cup games.

North Village get the opportunity to boost their goal average as they entertain winless St. George's in the only other Sunday afternoon fixture.

Tonight sees a match-up of cellar dwellers, as eighth placed St. David's take on bottom club Devonshire Cougars at Devonshire Rec.

Among the Second Division leaders, Somerset travel to face Prospect, Hotels entertain Social Club, Wolves visit Paget, while Somerset Eagles host Hamilton Parish.