Hood handed Hornets test... Village take on Cougars

Robin Hood skipper Darran Reitze says his team’s primary focus is on returning to the Digicel Premier Division despite landing a plum FA Challenge Cup semi-final against Dandy Town.

The draw, which was held today at the Bermuda Football Association headquarters, also paired holders Devonshire Cougars with North Village. Both games will be played in a double-header on March 23, with the kick-off times and venue yet to be decided.

Reitze concedes First Division leaders Hood, managed by Kyle Lightbourne, are the underdogs in light of the trophy-laden past of the other remaining teams and says promotion remains the team’s over-riding goal.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “All three other sides we could have played, they are the traditional big three on the island so we knew we were in for a tough game.

“But we have four massive games in the league before then and it’s important we get back into the Premier Division. The FA Cup is a bonus for us, really.”

He added: “You’ve got to look at us as the underdogs when you compare us to the other three, the trophies they have won and their histories but we’ll give it our best, obviously.”

For Village, their semi-final is a rematch of Monday night's 1-1 league stalemate with Cougars. Club vice-president Alan Young said that adds a little more intrigue to the game but believes the one-off nature of Cup football made it difficult to predict anything.

He said: “We need to be consistent, disciplined and show some North Village fight.

“It’s [the draw] going to make it a very interesting final. Everyone is fighting for the same thing and no-one has the upper hand whatsoever.”

FA Challenge Cup draw:

Robin Hood v Dandy Town

North Village v Devonshire Cougars