Bermuda Hogges will be playing for pride when they travel to the East Coast for their final matches of the season as they desperately try to lift themselves off the bottom of the league table.

The Hogges had been confident of a respectable mid-table finish in their debut Premier Development League (PDL) season, but back-to-back home defeats against Northern Virginia Royals have left them rooted to the foot of the standings.

Still, they are only seven points off fifth place and two good results on the road could catapult them back into a lower mid-table position which would satisfy head coach Scott Morton.

"We didn't really set ourselves any specific targets before the start of our first season," said Morton.

"Although we're bottom of the table at the moment a couple of good results can lift us," he said.

"The last two defeats (against the Royals) were tough to take as we were in line for a mid-table finish but we're looking to bounce back with a couple of good performances away from home.

"I think it will be a real boost for the players to look at the league table and not see our name at the bottom – I think that's important."

Hogges have enjoyed far better results on the road than in front of their own supporters this season, winning three out of six away games, and Morton is keen for that impressive trend to continue against Carolina Dynamo on Saturday and West Virginia Chaos on Monday.

"It's true, our away form has been very good this season while we have struggled at home," he said.

"Although it's a short season we've played as many matches as a local team would do over the course of a whole league season.

"It's taken its toll on the boys but they're still up for it."

Morton will be without goalkeeper Tahj Bell who was outstanding against the Royals last weekend, while first choice shot stopper Freddy Hall is still on trial at Plymouth Argyle.

It means young keepers Daniel Johnson and Corey Richardson are sure to both make their first Hogges appearances of the campaign.

"Tahj can't travel because of his job commitments but that gives a chance to our other keepers Daniel Johnson and Corey Richardson," said Morton.

"I believe the first game will be the more difficult one, but all the games are tests at this level and we're just looking to impose our style of play on our opponents."

Bermuda Hogges' travelling squad

Goalkeepers

Daniel Johnston

Corey Richardson

Defenders

Logan Alexander

Jaylon Bather

Darius Cox

Rakeem Deshields

Ernest Signor

Ajani Gibbons

Midfielders

Seion Darrell

Troy Tucker

Roger Lee

Roger Lee

Daniel Andrade

Forwards

Damon Ming

Shayne Hollis

Keishen Bean