PHC Zebras boss Kyle Lightbourne has urged his side to take advantage of their chance to go top of the Premier Division tomorrow when they take on league leaders Boulevard Blazers at Southampton Oval.

Victory last time out saw PHC move to within one point of the summit after an injury-ravaged Blazers lost to Devonshire Cougars, a defeat that hasn't helped Boulevard's league title ambitions.

Now the pair are set to collide in the match of the day, a game Lightbourne is confident his side can win.

"We are shaping up well for the match," said Lightbourne. "We are pleased to be in the position we are in when you consider the position we were in a little while ago, not getting results that we thought we deserved.

"The guys know that this is an opportunity to go into the break in the chase, if not the leaders, and this match has tremendous bearing on how we go into Christmas.

"Being close to the top at this stage is big because you don't want to be too far behind with a whole second half to go, and you want to be able to capitalise on others' mistakes, but you can't if you are trailing too far behind."

The men from Warwick know how to be consistent in the second half of seasons and will not want to give up any more ground with a showdown against the ever improving Dandy Town next week.

Knowing how breaks play out with players slacking in their training and fitness going downhill, Lightbourne won't allow his side to rest during the holiday period, but rather take the time to regroup and assess their situation.

Before Christmas, however, the former Coventry City striker wants his side to finish strong in order to be in a good position to win back the crown they relinquished last year.

"When you look at how things are going we are in a good position with a chance to go top with a win, so that will be our focus this weekend.

"The break will be good to give players a rest but at the same time we have to keep our players running so we will have a few practice matches to keep our lungs open and the fitness still up to par, but also allow the guys to enjoy Christmas.

"But before then we still have one game in the league and then FA Cup so we will look at now and how we can better our position."

Devonshire Cougars have a chance to go top of the pile for at least a day when they face off against Somerset Trojans tonight at Somerset Cricket Club.

Only two points back, the champions will have a more focused Kwame Steede in their ranks after he gave up his dual player/coach role to focus on his game.

Elsewhere, Somerset Eagles host Hamilton Parish at White Hill Field, while Southampton Rangers make the trek to Bernard Park to play North Village.

The remaining match of the weekend will see Dandy Town square off against Devonshire Colts.

n In a submitted article on the schools football game in Wednesday's newspaper it was reported that Elliot School's MVP was Jason Simmons. The MVP was, in fact, Diaje Hart.