Martonmere Cup action returns tonight with a double-header at BAA Field as both North Village and PHC kick off their cup campaigns in search of the first major trophy of the season.

PHC take on Boulevard in the first match of the night while Village tackle Devonshire Colts in the second, with both Colts and Blazers facing early exits from the floodlight competition should they face to take maximum points.

Besides being defenders of the trophy, Zebras already own the first piece of silverware of the season after sweeping aside a Rams outfit that still looked they were on summer vacation as they won 7-1 in the Charity Cup.

And with the team high on energy, no one would blame PHC for looking past Blazers and into the second round.

But coach Kyle Lightbourne has no such thoughts.

"We are the defending champions and want to defend it as well as we can," said Lightbourne.

"So we will take the game very seriously and try to get off to a good start which will help us get a result.

"We have been concentrating on our fitness and getting it to where it should be to compete at a high level.

"It is not ideal for us in that we played one week then had a week off, but we will get back to business when the whistle blows.

"I managed to watch a bit of their (Boulevard's) game against Cougars, so we are putting a few things in place to come up against them."

"We know that in this situation Boulevard can't afford to lose and if they want to go further in this competition, they will have to take the game to us. I saw some of their strengths and also some weaknesses. I'm sure their coaching staff will be brushing up on a few things for the game.

"I'm just looking forward to the game. It will give our guys some reward for their hard work."

Still reeling from being despatched by PHC, Village will be looking to put things right when they face a Colts side who seemed to walk through their match against Dandy Town on their way to a 2-0 loss.

Skipper Ralph Bean jr said that there was no need for panic as "the real business hadn't started yet" and that the Charity Cup was a gauge to see how far along his side havd come in their pre-season training.

"We are still building with what we have and gelling the new guys in.

"We obviously want to improve on our last game, and that is what we have been doing since the Charity, so we will gauge how far we are along after the game.

"Any improvements right now are a bonus for us.

"The season hasn't started yet, so results right now are not important.

"I mean everyone wants to win, but we want the win our games in the league.

"Our fitness was our main weakness and it was quite evident during the match. They were prepared and we weren't, simple as that.

"Both teams will be out for redemption this weekend so it should be a good contest.

"I would like to say at the end of the match that the difference between our last game and this one is fitness, but we can't say that until the match is done and we can be honest with ourselves."