though coach Gregory Foggo is careful not to say something that might jinx the team.

"We're aiming to come as high as possible,'' was all he would say initially when asked how he rated his team's chances of finishing in the top six of the First Division for the first time in more than 20 years.

When pressed further he responded: "We'll do it this year.'' But there was clearly a reluctance on Foggo's part to say too much too soon.

Twice in the 1980s the team came within one point of qualifying only to be denied in 1980 and again in 1986. On the first occasion they were leading North Village 1-0 at Wellington Oval with six minutes to go in their last match of the season and lost 2-1 with the Village winner coming three minutes into injury time.

Relegated BAA denied them in 1986 when they could only draw their last match 2-2 thanks to a late Clevie Wade penalty.

It does not matter that St. George's are in a comfortable mid-table position, with six more points than they had at the halfway stage of last season, Foggo knows there is still a long way to go.

"I can't pick a number,'' was his quick reply when asked if he thought 20 points was a safe target considering 19 points was enough to get Dandy Town the sixth Martonmere Cup spot last season.

Despite their problems with player injury and unavailability, St. George's have risen to fifth in the standings with four 1-0 wins. That they have scored just four times has not, apparantly, hampered their improvement on last season when they also had four goals after nine matches but were sitting second from last with just four points.

They collected 11 points in the second half of the season -- thanks largely to Clay Smith's contribution in the second half of the season. But while they should beat their 15 points haul of a year ago, scoring goals remain a problem. This time they will not be able to call on Smith, or Dean Minors, until sometime in March because of their commitment to cricket's ICC Tournament.

"I think the goals will start coming,'' said a confident Foggo after observing the team's latest surprize win, a 1-0 triumph over Dandy Town.

"That's the first time we've beaten them in the First Division that I know of,'' Foggo said. "They gave us our worst licks (5-1) last season.'' With Sinclair M. Smith also not playing, St. George's have been desperately short of goal scorers this season. The return of Stevie Dickinson on Sunday could help solve the obvious problems in that area.

"I was a bit more pleased with the way our attack went (against Town) and if we continue on that basis goals will come,'' said the coach. "I think we had the most chances of scoring. In our attack I could see a little more spark.'' Despite changes to their defence, St. George's have improved in that area, having given up just five goals compared to 11 this time last season. Former captain Earl Basden has not played so far because of a mystery illness that has threatened his career while his central defensive partner, Phillip Bailey, has been sidelined since the opening game of the season when he was made captain in place of Basden.

Bailey has undergone a knee operation and is on the mend, while midfielder Jan Cieters faces a long layoff with a knee injury. He came on as a sub in Saturday's Alliance Division knockout win over North Village. However, the captaincy will stay with Neil Paynter, the main anchor in defence this season.

"He's definitely the best choice for it,'' Foggo feels.

Goalkeeper Troy Hall has played in all 29 of the team's league and cup matches since they returned to the First Division last season and he has been worth his weight in gold.

"You have to look at his record,'' Foggo insists. "I consider him one of the top two keepers in Bermuda. St. George's players never get the recognition they deserve.'' "I think St. George's will be a force to reckon with in the 90s. I feel as it goes we'll get tougher and tougher.'' TROY HALL -- has conceded 31 league and cup goals in 29 matches since the start of last season.