Hogges face stern test in Cleveland City Stars
It is unlikely Hogges’ coach Kyle Lightbourne will be able to resume his strike partnership with Shaun Goater — the catalysts for last week’s watershed win — after picking up an ankle injury.
Although neither Goater nor Lightbourne are overly keen to prolong their playing careers, their experience and boxing know-how proved valuable assets against the Phantoms but it is believed Goater will start.
The two famous sons of Bermudian football may be long in the tooth but they both still pack plenty of bite at this level, as exemplified by Goater’s trigger-like finishes last week.
President Shaun Goater has since spoken about the positive physiological impact the victory has had on their players, who had been embroiled in a nine game losing streak.
But Hogges must take advantage of the feel-good factor currently engulfing the camp and to break that partnership could be detrimental with none of their current raft of strikers showing much potency in front of goal at present.
At the other end of the field Hogges will have to make do without their latest recruit Sean Simmons who has revealed he has been temporarily ruled out of overseas action after overstaying his visa in the United States last summer.
The dreadlocked defender could miss the remainder of this season’s away fixtures representing a blow for Lightbourne and his coaching staff who view Simmons as a remedy for the defensive ailments that have plagued them this campaign.
The Somerset Trojans stopper is no stranger to the ‘route one’ nature of the USL after playing for the South Carolina Shamrocks between 1998-99.
And it was no coincidence his debut against Phantoms heralded Hogges’ first victory and most impressive defensive display to date.
His no-nonsense approach is something the Hogges have missed this season and is an area where Lightbourne’s young charges have been found wanting so far, conceding a number of goals from long balls.
But despite being tied to the island for the foreseeable future, Simmons has committed himself to the Hogges and hopes to figure in their remaining home games this campaign. The 31-year-old won the Bermuda Football Association’s defensive MVP award last week.
It’s likely though his Trojans team-mate Jabrel Tucker will continue in the left-back berth after his impressive showings in his first two outings for the Hogges.
The Hogges are also running the rule over North Village defender Kofi Dill and hope to add Bermuda international Kevin Richards to their ranks when he returns from his employment in England in mid-July.
Cleveland City Stars are still yet to lose at home this season and represent a real test for Lightbourne’s young charges who are yet to win even a point on their travels.
Stars last match saw them draw at home 1-1 against Crystal Palace Baltimore. The Hogges will stay out in the States ahead of their match against the Cincinnati Kings.
