Paget Lions captain Diaje Hart is confident his team can rise to the challenge against unbeaten Dandy Town as Dudley Eve Trophy action continues with a double-header at Devonshire Recreation Club tonight (7pm).

The match is vital for Paget who lost 3-2 against promoted Boulevard in their opening group A match and cannot afford any further setbacks if they are to progress to the semi-final of the competition, named in honour of the late Bermuda Football Association administrator and founding member.

Town are the firm favourites heading into the match and will be confident coming off of back-to-back wins over Premier Division and FA Cup champions North Village.

However, despite the opposition’s blistering start to the season, Hart is not intimidated and is backing his team to come away with a win to keep their Dudley Eve Trophy hopes alive.

“We are always confident when we step on to the pitch,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“Dandy Town is always a tough team to play against regardless if they are in form or not, so it’s just a matter of us showing up on the day.”

Paget were missing several key players against Blazers, among them defender Julian Carpenter, who was ruled out through World Cup qualifying commitments with the national team.

“We had a lot of players missing but it’s definitely disappointing because nobody likes losing,” Hart said.

“But we go again and will see what we can get out of the match against Dandy Town.”

In the second match of tonight’s double-header, group A leaders Boulevard square off against North Village (9pm).

Like Paget, the match is vital to Village after they lost 1-0 to Town in their opening group fixture.

Village are fancied to come away with the points but coach Calvin “Patches” Dill is not taking the opposition lightly.

“They are tough opponents and have a never-say-die attitude,” he said.

Despite his team experiencing one of their worst starts to a season in recent memory, Dill is not pressing the panic button just yet.

“It’s very early to panic,” he said.

Village started the new campaign on the back foot after losing 2-1 to Town in the season-opening Charity Cup in the first game played under floodlights at their Bernard Park ground.

“I thought we were the better team and played some good football and had plenty of opportunities to score,” Dill said.

Village’s lack of cutting edge also factored in a 1-0 loss to Hornets in the team’s opening group match at Goose Gosling Field six days later.

“The second match against Dandy Town was pretty much the same as first match; we created chances and didn't score,” Dill said.

“We have two games left so will have to see what happens and take it one game at a time.

“We have a few new players that we need to give time on the field. This tournament is like a pre-season tournament for us to get a look at them because when the league starts we want to have built our squad and be ready to defend what we have.”

Blazers, who have made a flying start on their return to top flight football, top group A on goal difference over Town, while Devonshire Cougars and St George’s Colts top group B and C by three points respectively over PHC Zebras and promoted X-Roads Warriors.

The eventual group winners and the best runner-up in the three groups will advance to the semi-finals of the competition.