Local footballers won’t get too much time to enjoy the festive holiday season as both the Friendship Trophy and Shield competitions will be played over the Christmas break this year.Bermuda Football Association (BFA) confirmed yesterday the decision to push the 46th annual Friendship Trophy forward due to Bermuda’s hosting of the CARIFTA Games, which is scheduled for April.Both competitions got underway last night with preliminary matches and both finals will be played on New Year’s Day at the National Sports Centre.Two-time defending Friendship Trophy champions, North Village, will be out to retain their title when they meet PHC Zebras on Sunday.The two prestigious clubs have something in common in that they both share the same amount of victories, ten, in this competition, although Village won the first-ever Friendship Trophy.Somerset Trojans, who play Boulevard tonight in their preliminary match, are second with nine triumphs.Trojans or Boulevard with play either Southampton Rangers or Dandy Town on Sunday.Also on Sunday, new boys Robin Hood clash with Devonshire Cougars and St George’s lock horns with St David’s.The 47th annual Shield competition also got underway last night with two preliminary matches that will solve who plays who on Sunday.Tonight’s action will see Young Men’s Social Club face off against Somerset Eagles, with the winner of this match playing Devonshire Colts.Paget will travel to play Hamilton Parish in the only match that is already confirmed.PHC were the first club to raise the Shield during the 1964/65 season while Southampton Rangers have walked away as winners four times.