Plenty at stake in Dudley Eve double-header
The final two Dudley Eve Trophy semi-final spots will be decided during a double-header at PHC Field tonight.
Group C winners X-Roads Warriors and Group B winners Paget Lions are already through to the last four, and it now remains to be seen who joins them with six teams still in contention for the remaining spots.
Leaders North Village take on second place Dandy Town in their final Group A match in the second match at PHC Field (9pm), with both teams needing only a point to advance to the next round.
Despite getting the better of their opponents in the season opening Charity Cup, Rams coach Cal “Patches” Dill isn’t taking anything for granted.
“Dandy Town are a very good and organised team so we have to respect them,” he told The Royal Gazette.
“We don't have an edge over no team and we, the coaches, keep the players humble and know that the game is played on the field. Whether we play them back-to-back it's always a new game.
“The vibe in the camp is good. We as coaches try and keep the players happy the best way we can, and most are close friends off the field.”
Rams are without forward Sincere Hall and centre-back London Steede, who are presently with the national team in Barbados on Concacaf Nations League duty.
Hornets are also without goalkeeper Jahquill Hill, defender Lejaun Simmons and head coach Jarreau Hayward, who are also travelling with the national squad.
Deputising Hornets’ coach Seion Darrell declined to comment.
Dudley Eve Trophy holders St George’s Colts face Somerset Trojans in the opening contest at PHC Field (7pm), with both teams in need of an outright victory to keep their hopes of progressing to the last four alive.
St George’s defender Ernest Signor said his team are gunning for victory but are more focused on the league then defending their title.
“We’re looking at Dudley Eve as pre-season games and have been trying people in different positions, different formations and stuff like that,” he said.
“We’re going into the game looking to win obviously. But the main focus is the league, so if we don’t win we’re not going to be upset.”
Trojans have taken the same approach.
“We have been using the Dudley Eve to get familiar with the level of the Premier Division,” coach Danvers Seymour Jr said.
“We have been in the First Division for the last two years, so it’s some adjustments that have to be made as far as the players understanding the level that needs to be reached and sustained to stay in this division.”
Group B runners-up Devonshire Cougars and Group C runners-up PHC Zebras, who have completed their group matches, are the remaining teams in with a chance of reaching the semi-finals should other results go their way.
The group winners plus the best runner-up among the three groups will advance to the semi-finals.
