Dandy Town coach Devarr Boyles is hoping the experience of playing against Barbados last week will give his side the competitive edge in tonight?s first round Friendship Trophy clash against Somerset Eagles at Devonshire Rec (9 p.m.).

Although he said that they were ?tactically naive? at times against the touring Bajans, he argued that the squad had derived many ?positive lessons? from the encounter.

?We are hoping that the experience of playing against international opposition will rub off on our performances in local football and contribute to the type of football we are trying to play at the present time,? he said.

?The game was a journey into the unknown for most of the players and an eye-opener for them as well as me. We were naive at times in terms of recognising danger, and especially in the centre third of the field where we gave the ball away too much and found ourselves out-numbered at the back.?

He agreed, however, that playing better opposition is always the most effective way of improving and said that he ?hopes lessons have been learned.?

Boyles paid tribute to Eagles as a ?strong? opponent, who Town narrowly defeated 1-0 in the first league game of the season ? with Eagles missing a penalty in the very last minute of the game.

He believes, however, that his side is the better one, although he remains frustrated he has not been able to consistently field what he feels is his ?strongest 11.?

?We recognise Eagles as a very good team and of course are wary of them,? he said.

?I have not, in theory, been able to field the strongest team this season but I?m confident those that lace up their boots for the game will do the job.?

Eagles? Musceo Hunt, meanwhile, conceded that the challenge of overcoming the only undefeated Premier Division team represents a ?tall order.?

?Coming up against the league leaders is, undeniably, going to be tough task,? he said.

?The league is obviously our number one priority but we are taking this game very seriously indeed. We have to be prepared to match them every step of the way if we are going to pull off a victory.?

Hunt, fresh from playing and training with the national team against Barbados, singled out Town?s young striker Khano Smith, who has been prolific in front of goal so far this season, as the main threat to his side?s chances of success.

?He is always going to be a challenge for us,? he conceded.

?Khano is a young man, he is very strong and has experience, not only on the international field now, but also of a decent standard abroad.

?A lot of players in our country do not get that type of exposure or experience and we will definitely have to be at our most alert against him.?

Prior to the Friendship clash, St. George?s and Paget will do battle in the First Division Shield (7 p.m.)