North Village's Sammy DeGraff is relishing the extra responsibility of the captain's armband and credits it as the reason behind his splendid goalscoring form.

DeGraff is the Premier Division's leading scorer this season with nine goals – not a bad return considering he has played a high proportion of those matches as a holding midfielder.

In the absence of freescoring attackers Keishen Bean, who signed for Somerset Eagles, and Keith Jennings, now at Southampton Rangers, Village have been relying on their more experienced players, like DeGraff, to help fill the void.

It's an added pressure that seems to have brought out the best in the Rams' new skipper who is well on target for his best ever goalscoring campaign.

"As captain, I now feel I have a lot more responsibility and my mental approach has shifted slightly," said the Bermuda international.

"In the absence of Keith Jennings and Keishen Bean, who scored a lot of goals for us in the past, the platform has been there for someone else to step up. Ralph Bean and myself have had to really step it up this year as we're a young team and we're not always sure where our goals will come from.

"Things have probably gone my way in front of goal, but once you start scoring you feel like you're never going to stop. My best return saw me score 12 goals and at the start of the season I just wanted to reach double digits."

Under previous Village coach, Elliott Jennings, DeGraff was forced to spend much of his time on the periphery of the action as a reluctant winger. It was a role in which he never felt completely comfortable, and as soon as Shaun Goater took over the reins he moved DeGraff back into the engine room where his tireless work rate and discipline are best suited.

"I've played as a winger in the past for Village but I'm happier in the centre of midfield," said DeGraff. "I've been playing in two positions this season, the holding role and as an attacking midfielder.

"As an attacking midfielder I think I've scored in every game. When I was in college, playing off the striker, I actually ended up as the team's leading scorer."

Although the Whitney Institute teacher has many seasons left in the tank, he has already started planning for the future. He completed a coaching course in Brazil last summer and is currently doing his 'D' Licence badge with Bermuda Football Association.

"Coaching is something that interests me and as a music teacher I'm used to wearing many hats," he said. "I've started coaching Village's Under-12 team and I'm really enjoying trying to help the youngsters realise their potential.

"There are so many opportunities available to young Bermuda players right now and I want to make sure they take advantage of them."