Bermuda Hogges return to league action tonight after a three-week break looking to capture the scalp of high-flying Charlotte Eagles for their first victory of the season.

The basement dwellers enter the encounter as underdogs with the Eagles perched at the top of the USL Division Two, following their soaring 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Kings last week.

But ever the optimist, player-coach Kyle Lightbourne believes a visit from the table-toppers represents the perfect opportunity for the Hogges to kick-start their inaugural campaign.

Prior to the three-week lull in fixtures, Hogges picked up their first point of the season in an encouraging performance against the Kings at the National Stadium.

And while the former Coventry City striker is fully aware of the onerous task facing his young charges, he is confident they are capable of pulling off a shock result.

“Charlotte Eagles are the division’s top team and we expect a very difficult game,” he said. “They are very physical, direct and extremely dangerous from set-pieces.

“We have done our homework and know they like to get the ball forward very early.

“But we are confident and will be looking to build upon our last performance which we felt we should have won.

“Sure, we would be content with a point but we will never go into a game not trying win and a victory against the Eagles would certainly be a major confidence boost for us.

“At the moment we are trying to take small steps forward every game and so far we have been impressed with the way the players have acquitted themselves.

“All three matches have been close and I don’t believe any team will just turn up and turn us over.”

In 6ft 5ins Jacob Coggins, Eagles possess the most feared striker in the division, and Lightbourne has earmarked the rangy marksman as a player who poses a plethora of problems.

Coggins, who was voted the league’s MVP in 2004 and 2005, tops the league’s scoring charts with nine goals — his latest against the Kings last Friday.

“Jacob Coggins is probably their danger man,” said Lightbourne. “He is physically strong and very tall so he will be a real threat in the air.

“He is in a rich vein of goalscoring form and is certainly a guy we must try and contain.”

With the way the USL schedule has worked out, most of the other teams in the league have played twice as many games as the Hogges and Lightbourne admits the disjointed start to the season has been a hindrance.

“The long break has been hard for the players as it has seemed like they have had a second pre-season,” he added.

“It’s not good for them to be inactive for so long but we managed to organise a few practice matches so as to maintain their match fitness.They are now desperate to return to league action so hopefully that hunger will translate into a good performance on the pitch.

“I suppose it has given us a chance to assess the league and the strengths and weaknesses of our opposition. We have also been able improve on certain aspects of our own game.”

Lightbourne, who said the Hogges only fresh injury concern was Sammy DeGraff, has issued a rallying cry to Islanders to come and show their support at the National Stadium tonight.

“It would be great if we could attract a decent crowd and hopefully we will get the right result for them.”