The next time Bermuda's England-based professionals step out onto the same pitch together it could be one of the most crucial matches of both players' careers.

The date will be May 3 when Kyle Lightbourne's Stoke City host Shawn Goater's new club Manchester City in the final match of the season.

The encounter at Stoke's Brittanica Stadium could determine the fate of the two relegation threatened clubs. One or both of the teams could find themselves in the Second Division next season.

Both sides are in the bottom three, tied on 40 points and desperate to move out of the relegation zone with only six games remaining.

Their fate could be determined before the last day of the season, but if it comes down to that final game it will be anything but a friendly encounter for the two Bermudians just a week before they pair up together for Bermuda in the Shell Caribbean Cup.

"It's just one of those things,'' said Goater. "He's got to go out and do the best he can and may the best team win.

"That's how it has always been when we play against each other. We'll wish each other the best before the game but we'll get on with it.'' It would appear the fans in Stoke are also looking forward to the match.

"Apparently it's a sell-out already,'' said Lightbourne of the encounter at their 28,000 stadium.

Both teams could move out of the bottom three this weekend when Stoke travel away to meet bottom team Reading and Goater makes his home debut against Stockport. Manchester City have never been relegated to the Second Division.

"On paper you would put them down to get out of it, they are a massive club,'' said Lightbourne of Manchester City.

"Right now it's a matter of who copes with the pressure the most. I've never been in this situation before. It is a tense situation when every little thing counts.'' He admitted the Stoke fans have remained behind the team although anxiety is starting to creep in.

"They just want the team to do well and when things don't go their way they can show their frustration. That's the same with any club,'' Lightbourne said.

"If we win this game on Saturday we will probably be out of the bottom three, if the other results go our way,'' added Lightbourne who, like Goater, is looking for his first goal for his new club.

Lightbourne has had a slow start at Stoke after being hit by a virus soon after signing from Coventry City. He came on as a substitute last Saturday in their 3-0 home loss to Tranmere and is hoping to be in the starting line-up this weekend.

On Monday, Lightbourne played half of a friendly match against a university team and then in the reserves against Liverpool. "It was two workouts for me to get my fitness back up,'' he explained.

"I'm looking to score a few goals between now and the end of the season. I just need a few goals to let people know I'm still around.'' Stoke manager Chris Kamara turned down the opportunity to sign a second Bermudian when a letter arrived in his office recently from the mother of this season's top goalscorer Rohaan Simons.

After reading of Stoke's inability to score goals in a Royal Gazette article soon after Lightbourne signed for them, Dorothea Simons, unknown to her son,-- sent off a letter to Kamara detailing her son's exploits this season and his desire to play professionally.

A reply came from Kamara stating that unfortunately there were no openings but that he wished Rohaan all the best in his football career.

"Just to hear back from him was enough, even if he couldn't help him,'' said Mrs. Simons this week.

"I just appreciated the reply. He (Rohaan) wants to venture that way and it's just a matter of getting the break. Maybe something could happen for him.'' Simons, who turned 21 on Tuesday, finished with 19 goals for the season with Southampton Rangers.

Goater's former club, Bristol City, took over sole possession of first place in the Second Division with a 2-1 away win over Oldham. They moved a point ahead of Watford and also had their hopes of outright promotion boosted by the 0-0 draw between Wrexham and Grimsby, third and fourth in the standings. City are 12 points ahead of Grimsby with six games remaining.