The Friendship Trophy semi-final between Hamilton Parish and Dandy Town at PHC Field tonight promises to be a captivating encounter, with both coaches predicting a tricky fixture.

Parish, who have never won this competition, with their best achievement being finalists against Somerset Trojans in 2014, square off against four-time winners Town, with a spot in Wednesday’s final at Somerset Cricket Club up for grabs.

Both sides held training sessions yesterday as their coaches sought ways to unlock the opposition defence and earn the right to face PHC Zebras in the decider.

Omar Allen, Parish’s acting head coach in the absence of Sergio Goater, is mindful of the threat posed by an in-form Town side.

While they are second from bottom in the league, the Hot Peppers have recovered from a shaky start to pick up two wins and a draw in their last three matches.

“It’s going to be a difficult game for us,” Allen told The Royal Gazette. “We know that Dandy Town are going to come at us; we just have to withstand the pressure.

“We’re not taking them lightly, and we’re looking to do the best we can. Hopefully, we come out victorious. The morale is good in our camp, with the guys eager to make it to the final. My boys are determined to have a good showing, and I think it’s going to be a good game.”

Town coach Kyle Lightbourne is cautious ahead of the fixture against a side they are yet to beat this season. Parish triumphed 1-0 in the Dudley Eve Trophy before a 2-2 draw in the league at Wellington Oval.

“Parish is a team that we haven't beaten so far this season, so it's a chance for us to try and get a victory over them,” Lightbourne said.

“I think earlier on, we were finding our feet. I was getting used to the team, and they were getting used to my coaching.

“It’s the Christmas period, and they may have a couple of players back from overseas, so we need to be ready for anything. We need to come with the same mentality we've had in our last few matches and play the game that we want to play.”

Parish will be without injured Macquille Walker and his brother, Gianni Burgess, who is off the island.

In the absence of the two brothers, Allen will count on the exploits of Justin Bell, experienced goalkeeper Nigel Burgess, Jordan Outerbridge, Kion Knights, Leroy Lewis Jr and Tre Burgess, the hero of Sunday’s 1-0 quarter-final victory over Young Men’s Social Club.

“We’re going to be missing a few key players,’’ Allen said. “Macquille Walker is out due to injury, and his brother Gianni Burgess is off the island. Those are two starters, but other than that, we should have everyone available for selection.”

On Friday, Town, who started with Jaiden Manders in goal instead of Toran Place, had Ereico Outerbridge to thank after his first-half goal secured victory over St George’s Colts. Lightbourne hinted that while the 23-year-old Manders acquitted himself well, Place might be recalled.

Town have not tasted defeat since losing 1-0 to North Village at Goose Gosling Field on October 6.

“We need to guard against complacency and do what we need to do to get the job done,” Lightbourne said.

“We’ve got quite a few different players that we can pick from. Toran Place was carrying a little bit of an injury, so that was the reason behind the change, and he might be back in goal.”