National football coach Kyle Lightbourne resumes his quest for a maiden triumph on home soil and first since last November at the National Sports Centre tonight.

Lightbourne's squad square off against visiting Manchester City Youth Academy in the hope of avenging last year's 2-1 defeat at the hands of the same opponents.

The former pro striker also finds himself in unfamiliar territory, preparing his charges for what will be their third assignment in ten days.

Bermuda are fresh off 4-0 and 1-0 losses against Trinidad in the Caribbean last week.

So far, under Lightbourne, the national side have recorded one win, a draw and lost their last four matches.

“It's going to be a tough test for us . . . I have no doubt about that. But this exercise is not necessarily all about results. It's more about providing players with exposure and the opportunity to play against higher quality players and obviously we want to try to win the game,” Lightbourne told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

The coach's tenure at the helm of the national squad began on the best possible note last November with a 2-1 win over Cayman Islands at a muddy Arnos Vale Playing Field in St.Vincent during the inaugural Digicel Cup Tournament.

Since then, however, Lightbourne has had to contend with many challenges, included among them a programme in dire need of of financial backing, and a permanent training facility.

But although the squad remains winless in four matches, Lightbourne stressed: “We have learned a lot and hopefully soon we will start winning on a regular basis.

“But it's important we start from somewhere and I have been pleased by most of our performances playing at home. Obviously there's one or two things that I was disappointed about. But overall I'm just looking for the lads to go out there and give it their all. And it is going to be a tough test for them.”

Lightbourne has again placed an accent on youth with the likes of Oronde Bascome, Cecoy Robinson, Daniel Johnson, Robert Richardson, Kris Frick, Tuarean Manders, Tyrell Burgess, Devaun DeGraff, and Seion Darrell included in tonight's squad.

Two other youngsters, Jahnai Raynor and Logan Alexander, are currently off Island, while veteran professional striker Shaun Goater is expected to make a cameo appearance from the bench.

Senior players Jay Smith, Maurice Lowe, Robert Wilson, Kofi Dill, Damon Ming, Rohaan Simons, Jelani Scott, Jameiko Jennings, Aljame Zuill and Stephen Astwood will form the backbone of the team.

Assistant national coach Paul Scope warned: “Manchester City have returned with only four new faces from last year's team. So this will be an experienced City team playing a much less experienced Bermuda team than the one that took to the field last year.

“I watched that game from the stands and although it was close I always felt City had something in reserve when they needed it. But this will be a great experience for our young team and we will be looking to win.”

Meanwhile City director Jim Cassell said his troops were raring to go.

“The Goat (Shaun Goater) says he's going to whip us,” he smiled. “So we've got to prove him wrong. The boys are all in good shape and looking forward to playing the game.

“The boys love Shaun as he was at the club when a lot of them first joined from school. They all know Shaun and have a great deal of respect for him.”

City's youth academy, on the Island for the third straight year, have been assisting Goater's Grassroots Soccer Festival at the Sports Centre this week.

One player Cassell would have loved to have had in his side tonight is striker Nadam Onuoha, who has already tasted English Premiership football at Maine Road.

“Because he (Onuoha) is a first team player the manager has asked us not to play him. But we've got a good variety onboard,” added Cassell.

Nathan D'Larea will captain City's squad which will also include Casper Schmeichel, son of famous Danish international goalie Peter Schmeichel.

“Probably half the group have been here before and so they are very familiar and always love to come to Bermuda,” said Cassell.

“It has been a tough season for the boys and that's why it is always nice to come out here and relax a bit, do the job for Shaun and then play against the national team. And I'm sure it will be another wonderful experience for them.”