Phillip Burgess is still looking for his first win as the new Hamilton Parish coach as they seek to end a winless start to the season against Robin Hood on Saturday night at Goose Gosling Field.

Parish, who were contenders for a first league title last season before a late-season slump, are still without a win in four league and cup games, losing both Dudley Eve Trophy group matches before going down to promoted sides Devonshire Colts and Boulevard in the league.

However, Burgess, who replaced Kieshon Smith as coach, is confident things will turn around and welcomes the return of nephew Nigel Burgess, their first-choice goalkeeper, who missed the Boulevard match.

“With Nigel back in goal this weekend it will make a big difference for us,” Burgess said.

“We had a junior player [Merkell Smith] in goal and I was happy with his performance after stepping up from the under-16s to the Premier Division. But with Nigel back and directing traffic from the defensive area as a senior player we should be able to compete.”

Parish’s problems have been conceding goals and they look particularly vulnerable at the back after the loss of several key players in the summer.

“I see some improvement in the team, it’s been a long process with a bunch of young guys we’ve been using,” Burgess said. “They are showing a lot of character and fight and we have to build on last weekend when we came back from 3-1 down.

“I’m looking for greater things this weekend and the guys’ spirits are still high. They are putting the work in at training. I’m finding in my first season as the coach that I’m getting a lot of respect from the players but it’s going to take some time.

“In both matches we were in the game. I’m still looking for a good combination in the defensive areas, but I know we can score goals.”

Donovan Thompson has stepped up to lead Parish in the scoring department, while captain Chris Caisey has been influential in midfield.

n Bermuda’s Under-20 girls team got their Caribbean Football Union World Cup qualifier off to a good start last night in Haiti when they beat Puerto Rico 1-0.

Aaliyah Nolan scored late in the first half and Bermuda hung on to their narrow lead to pick up a crucial victory ahead of Sunday’s match against the host nation.

The three teams are in group two with the top two sides advancing to play the top two teams from group one in the Concacaf qualifying tournament.