‘Hornets’ spirit is vital’

Dandy Town put down a marker for the new season on Monday, defeating Premier Division champions Devonshire Cougars in the Dudley Eve Trophy.

And club president Wayne Campbell believes the 2-1 win was a sign the team has the commitment and spirit required for the season ahead.

Work duties prevented him attending the game but reports, he says, were encouraging.

“We have to play together and play for each other — that’s what it’s all about. 

“In some of the games last season I would say that was missing. It’s a team sport so it’s about the team, not the individual.

“From what I understand, that’s something that we showed on Monday. We were committed.”

Cougars were the dominant force last season, clinching a superb treble — the Digicel Premier League, the Friendship Trophy and the FA Cup.

And for the Hornets, a team with traditionally high standards on the island, the challenge is now there to knock Dennis Brown’s Cougars off their perch.

Campbell said: “We enter the season in confident spirits. It’s a fresh new start and we’re confident about the season coming up.

“We’ve got some new additions, some young new additions but mostly we still have the same players.

“It was a good win over Cougars and good to have a benchmark for where we are at and what we still have to improve on.

“I think it’s going to be close between a lot of the teams this year, whoever takes the initiative to play confident football should have an advantage. 

“But it’s a long season so at this stage I would say we just have to put our best foot forward.”

He added: “The older guys have to keep the younger ones committed  and enthusiastic throughout the season.”