Flanagan’s Onions, who surprised many by finishing in the top six in the Premier Division last season, hope to pull off another shock today at Police Field by qualifying for the semi-finals of the Dudley Eve Trophy.

Playing in the competition for the first time after their mid-table finish in the league, Onions will go into the match against champions Dandy Town needing just a draw to make certain of joining Town in the last four. A narrow defeat would do it, too, taking them through on goal difference over Devonshire Cougars, who drew 2-2 with Onions and then were crushed 4-1 by Town who have already shown intentions of following on their success of last season when they won the league, FA Cup and Dudley Eve Trophy.

“We obviously want to win it,” Mick Ward, the Onions coach, said. “We’re taking it serious enough, but at the same time, the league is our priority. That’s where our focus is, really.” Early injuries and players abroad left Onions short in numbers for the Cougars match 12 days ago, but Ward expects to have a strong squad to choose from for today’s match. Markez Laws and veteran striker Vincent Minors have joined them from relegated Wolves and have already fitted in, with Laws playing alongside twin brother Martel on his debut.

“There were a couple of knocks over pre-season which the guys are getting over and then guys were off Island and just returning, so we’re hoping to have a bigger squad over the next couple of weeks,” said the coach, who listed only 14 players for the Cougars match, which they led 2-0 before a late equaliser salvaged a draw for Cougars in the group A match.

“We already know the teams are beatable, so we approach every game with confidence and hopefully come out on top. You have two teams who like to pass the ball, although I’m not sure the conditions of the pitch are going to agree with both teams. It is going to be an interesting match-up.

“Markez and VJ have fitted in brilliantly, featured in most of the minutes of all the friendlies we’ve had, so I’m quite happy with their progress. They’ve fitted in like they’ve been here for years.”

Minors played up front alongside Keston Lewis and Kevin Ronaldson in what looks to be a lethal front line in the making. Town have already qualified for the semi-finals while North Village are through from group B after a win and a draw against Hamilton Parish and Somerset Trojans. Parish go head-to-head with Somerset for the second spot from that group.

Today’s matches will start at 3pm and 5pm with Parish and Trojans playing in the opener. The semi-finals are scheduled for October 19.