Village coach Kenny Thompson is hoping that tonight's Martonmere Cup opener (8.00) against Dandy Town at BAA field will be the start of a far better campaign for his squad.

But nobody is more aware than the coach that their baptism will be a difficult one as it has them matched against one of the stronger senior teams in Dandy Town.

Even so, with their trophy cabinet bare after a tough 1997-98 season when Thompson made his debut as head coach, he is optimistic that greater success lies ahead of his young squad this season. But he knows that tonight's opponents are not about to hand them anything.

"Last year we did quite well against Dandy Town and that was very pleasing because of the inexperience that we had. I consider Dandy Town to be the most talented team in the country potential wise so it was extra pleasing for us to do so well against them,'' said Thompson.

"But that counts for nothing now as we enter a new season because we have to do it all over again and the task ahead will be even more difficult because I am sure that Dandy Town will not take us lightly -- not to say that they did last season. There will be added incentive for them to do well against us.

Actually we have created a bigger problem by having done well against them.'' While many club fans believe that Thompson was switching to young, unproven players too early last season, the coach thinks that the experience that those untried players got will benefit them this season.

And he feels that the squad has been strengthened considerably by the addition of key players such as Neil Robinson, back from Boulevard, and Jawan Thomas, Devon Brangman and Sergio Goater from Devonshire Cougars.

While picking up talented players such as these, Village were also fortunate in not losing any of their top players.

While every game is viewed as being important to Thompson, there is added significance to this clash against Dandy Town because the coach feels that it is an opportunity for him to measure his team's potential against formidable opponents.

"I am indeed looking forward to seeing exactly where our teams is in a match-up against a strong side like this. There is no doubt that Dandy Town are one of the teams we need to play against to measure just where we are,'' he said.

Among those counted on for scoring goals this season are veteran Elliott Jennings, Kevin Jennings, Jemeiko Jennings, Sammy DeGraffe and Goater.