Nigel Burgess, the Hamilton Parish goalkeeper, hopes his side enjoy a change of fortune when they visit defending champions Devonshire Cougars in the Premier Division tonight.

Parish are in the midst of a three-game losing streak and in danger of undermining their strong start to the season after slipping to seventh in the league table.

Burgess, however, has played down his team’s worrying run of defeats and believes their slump is due to Dame Fortune not smiling so sweetly upon them, rather than loss of form.

“Every team goes through a rough patch sometimes and I guess we haven’t had much luck lately,” said Burgess, whose side won the First Division last season.

“The ball just hasn’t bounced for us in our last few games when fortune hasn’t gone our way.

“We’ve had plenty of scoring opportunities in those matches but just haven’t been able to get the ball over the line.”

Parish started the season like a proverbial train, thrashing Somerset Trojans, defeating Wolves, and earning an impressive draw at perennial title contenders Dandy Town.

Since then Parish have spluttered to a trio of defeats against Flanagan’s Onions, Southampton Rangers and St David’s, leaving them just one point above the drop zone.

But with only five points separating top from bottom, Burgess remains confident Parish can achieve their remit of avoiding relegation this season.

“It’s still very tight and everyone seems to be beating each other,” he said. “I still believe we have the potential to beat anyone in this league.

“Staying up is our main goal and hopefully we can secure that before the end of the season.”

Parish’s opponents, Cougars, have made an impressive start to the season, sitting top of the table, with Burgess accepting Parish could have their work cut out for them at Devonshire Rec. tonight.

“It’s not going to be an easy game, but then no game is,” he added.

Tonight’s game kicks off at 8pm.