LIFE certainly doesn’t get any easier for the Bermuda Hogges who play hosts to arguably the division’s standout team Richmond Kickers tomorrow night at the National Sports Centre.The Kickers subjected Lightbourne’s young side to a footballing lesson as they cruised to a 4-0 victory in the US last weekend.

And on current form it’s unlikely they will possess enough power to pinch anything from the game with confidence sure to be low following their 1-0 defeat against fellow strugglers Wilmington Hammerheads in midweek.

The Kickers will be arriving in Bermuda fresh from a confidence soaring 3-2 victory over MLS side DC United in an exhibition game on Tuesday evening.

Forwards Ricky Schramm and Freddy Smith registered a goal a piece on either side of the half while Hogges’ chief tormentor, midfielder Mike Burke, converted a late penalty kick at the impressive University of Richmond Stadium.

But they say an animal is at its most dangerous when wounded and the Hogges will certainly be hurting after losing in their United Soccer League Division 2 basement battle against Hammerheads.

It was billed as a must-win game for the Hogges who had just returned home empty handed from their doubleheader against Crystal Palace Baltimore and Kickers.

But despite making an assured start to the game, crafting a clutch of goalscoring opportunities they failed to make Hammerheads pay.

Unfortunately, the visitors were a little more potent in front of goal and took the wind of Hogges sails when they scored against the run of play late in the first-half.

Hogges president Shaun Goater bemoaned his side’s mistake-laden defending after the game and urged his team with tighten up at the back.

“Every goal we have scored this season we have had to work for,” he said.

“Yet the majority of goals we have conceded have come from a miss-kick a poor clearance or a defensive mix-up.

“I wish teams would gift us goals like we do them. We had two chances to clear their goals and the ball still ended up in the back of the net.” He added that the Hogges could soon be looking for fresh faces and admitted they were short of certain types of player.

“We have good players in the team but don’t have the sort of players who dictate a game and hit the killer ball.

“We could also do with a leader in defence, someone who can organise and take charge — it’s something the coaches will have to look into.”

It’s believed the Hogges are looking at signing defender and Bermidian international Kevin Richards who returns from England soon.

His experience and versatility would be a major boost to the Hogges who have been plagued by defensive problems so far this season.

The defeat against Hammerheads leaves them eight games without a victory, and they will need to raise their game considerably to secure even a point against high-flying Kickers.