The decision to stage the Friendship Trophy and First Division Shield competitions on weekends and not under floodlights appears to be paying big dividends.

Although only two Friendship opening round fixtures were played, some of the largest gatherings in recent times attended double-headers at Southampton Oval and Devonshire Recreation Club over the weekend.

Now, Bermuda Football Association (BFA) league and cup committee chairman Charles Clarke hopes numbers will continue to increase during later rounds of the competition.

?We did hope to see larger crowds and from my estimation Devonshire Recreation Club had an easy 2,500 people present at the match last Sunday, while I have learned the match at Southampton Oval was also well attended,? said Clarke yesterday.

?Even though there were only two matches I still think we accomplished what we were looking for ? and that is bigger crowds. It was also a very nice atmosphere. We didn?t have anything occur out of the ordinary and so it really was an enjoyable day for all.

?Certainly this is something we would like to see continue and I think the committee has done an excellent job trying to create a schedule that has taken a tremendous bit of thought. Sometimes you have to think outside of the box and change with the times and look at new ways of generating funds for the association.?

While last Sunday saw a full-slate of First Division Shield matches get underway, Friendship Trophy fixtures involving Dandy Town and North Village and Somerset Trojans and Boulevard were postponed due to a directive issued by the association late Friday afternoon prohibiting all players named in the national squad from suiting up for their respective domestic clubs.

The two postponed Friendship first round fixtures could now be possibly held on December 12, disclosed Clarke.

?We do have another date that is drawing close that we are now looking at,? he added. ?Hopefully if there aren?t any other make up matches to deal with then this date would be a good opportunity to play these two Friendship Trophy matches. And at this point the date we are looking at is December 12 ? presently there are only First Division matches scheduled for that date.?

Meanwhile, the BFA will hold the draw for the next round of the Friendship Trophy, First Division Shield and FA Cup competitions today at Captain?s Lounge on Reid Street, beginning at 1 p.m.

All members have been asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to the draw.