Ocean City FC boss Neil Holloway is desperate to halt his team's winless streak and will approach Reading United's coaches for useful tips on how to beat Bermuda Hogges before tomorrow's game.

Last season's PDL quarter-finalists are looking for all the help they can get after making a slow start to the season, taking only two points from their opening four matches.

Holloway admits he knows very little about Bermudian football but plans to pick the brains of United coach Brendan Burke who was impressed by the athleticism and natural ability of Hogges' players in last week's double-header.

"We don't know too much about the Hogges. I know they were a USL D2 team last season and have now transitioned to the PDL, but that doesn't really tell us too much," said Holloway, who played for Reading FC's youth team in England before winning a football scholarship at the Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia.

"Our expectations are very high this season and at the moment we have made a poor start and struggled to live up to the expectations put on us.

"I know Derek Broadley, I know the Reading United guys really well, so I will be talking to them before we depart."

Hogges' switch to the PDL has created a "buzz" around the league, according to Holloway, who said it would be interesting to see how his team fared against what is essentially a Bermuda national team.

"We are very excited and looking forward to our trip to Bermuda," he said. "It will be a great experience for our young players to travel internationally and play basically a Bermuda national team.

"As soon as the schedule was announced there was a little buzz about the prospect of travelling to Bermuda. Apart from a few injuries we will be at full strength."

At 30 years of age, Holloway is one of the youngest coaches in the league and he is determined to build upon his growing reputation this term after guiding City to one of the best seasons in their history in 2009.

"Last year was one of the best seasons in our club's history, making the third round of the US Open Cup, beating two USL D2 pro teams on the way (Crystal Palace Baltimore and Real Maryland)," he said.

"We went on to play DC United eventually losing 2-0. We also made the PDL national quarter-finals."

Just as United did last week, City are due to touch down in Bermuda on the same day as their first match against the Hogges, around eight hours before kick-off.

Bermuda Football Association's (BFA) general secretary, David Sabir said it would be protocol for all visiting teams to arrive on the Island on matchday this season.

Hogges play City at 8 p.m. tomorrow, and at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Both games will be held at BAA Field.

n See live coverage of tomorrow's match on www.royalgazette.com.