for North Village, but coach Kenny Thompson knows it's a long way to go before this present team can match the accomplishments of the 1977-78 squad.

In fact Thompson would prefer not to even have his players thinking about such an achievement, with so many games still remaining.

Two years ago Vasco were the first team in 20 years to win the triple crown of league, FA and Friendship, adding the Dudley Eve -- the newest of the major trophies -- for good measure.

But suddenly all eyes are on Village in the quest for the last three trophies.

The Red Devils have come back strongly after failing to defend their Dudley Eve title over the holidays and now lead a tight title race by two points.

They are also in the semi-finals of the Friendship and the quarter-finals of the FA Cup where they will meet Commercial team Lobster Pot.

"The players should be very, very motivated,'' said Thompson. "We're on top of the league, in the semi-finals of the Friendship and now quarter-finals of the FA so we have a lot to play for.

"We won't talk too much about actually winning the triple crown because there are a lot of factors, but it's good to be in with a chance of winning major honours. We need to work hard to achieve because we haven't achieved anything as yet.'' Thompson has made it no secret that winning the league with North Village is his top priority. It is a trophy that has eluded the club for 21 years, but now they are looking a team capable of going all the way.

They should hold onto the top spot with another victory over St. David's on Sunday, the same team they blasted 10-2 in the FA Cup last weekend. Village, with the luxury of a three-goal lead, were able to bring off Elliott Jennings in the first half and not risk further injury to his hamstring. The club's most experienced player should be available for tomorrow's match.

"The pressure (on St.David's) of us scoring three goals fairly quickly did us the world of good,'' said Thompson of the cup clash. "Yeah, after four or five goals they threw it in, but despite the game appearing to be very easy we still played at a good intensity.

"That's good because in such games teams do tend to relax and become complacent. To the team's credit we stayed positionally well organised, with good intensity.'' Village may get the chance to extend their lead at the top with second-placed PHC struggling to find their early season form. The Zebras travel to St.

David's to meet Boulevard, one of the teams being tipped for the drop with St.

David's.

Boulevard are second-from-bottom but a couple of good results could lift them out of the relegation zone. PHC, who are only four points clear of the relegation trap door, are just as anxious for points as their opponents.

In tonight's match at St. John's, Dandy Town take on Wolves at 8.00 with both teams having a chance of taking second place. The championship and relegation battles are now wide open, following the recent surge of teams like Wolves, Somerset Trojans and Southampton Rangers and the slight stutter by Dudley Eve finalists Devonshire Colts and Vasco.

Tomorrow's other match has Colts hosting Somerset at White Hill Field. Colts managed to beat Devonshire Cougars at the second attempt in the FA Cup on Wednesday night.