Hornets v North Village: All or nothing for title rivals

To echo a certain famous Scottish ex-manager, it’s ‘squeaky-bum time’ at the top and bottom of the Digicel Premier Division on Sunday.

The title race has come down to two teams, with Dandy Town starting two points clear of nearest rivals North Village before each team’s remaining fixture.

On paper, the Hornets have the toughest task, taking on defending  champions Devonshire Cougars at the neutral BAA venue after giving up home advantage because St John’s is being prepared for the cricket season.

The Rams, meanwhile, go to Wolves needing a win to stand any chance of lifting the silverware. Bottom club Wolves themselves need a victory to keep alive their slim chances of avoiding relegation with the two teams above them, St David’s and Southampton Rangers, both at home.

North Village president Stephen Coddington hopes Dennis Brown’s Cougars can do them a favour.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “We will need our perennial rivals Devonshire Cougars to get a draw at worst and we need to do what we need to do in terms of getting all three points because we do have the better goal difference.

“Hopefully these can go our way and Cougars can put on a good show. I don’t wish poorly or badly on anyone usually but hopefully we can get the trophy ourselves.”

Coddington says the final-day drama is good for the league and Sunday has an added edge given that Village will take on the Hornets in the forthcoming FA Cup final. Whoever gets the better of Sunday’s fixtures, therefore, will get the chance to go for the double.

“It’s such a good climax to the season for all involved because we have North Village playing Dandy Town in the finals of the FA Cup so it’s all to play for,” he said.

“The three teams — Cougars, Village and Dandy Town — have been at the top in terms of collecting trophies and winning things. 

“This will be a particularly momentous victory if we pull this one out because a few years back we let it slip through our fingers the second last game of the season and Dandy Town   were the ones that took the league trophy from us because of our hiccup.”

The approach of Cougars, says Coddington, will dictate the whole afternoon.

“They don’t have anything to play for anymore — so maybe they can play with some freedom. “I wouldn’t say they wouldn’t be up for the challenge because manager Dennis Brown, as well as I know him, and most of the players, they are up for the fight at all times.

“But you look at the psychology of the game — do they really want to play for it? That’s what it comes down to.”

Wolves should not have any problems getting up for the game given their predicament.

“Wolves would need to beat us and get a lot of help,” added Coddington, “but obviously we both have a lot play for. It could be a scrappy affair. Dev Rec is a lively pitch and anything could happen.

“I know that Dandy Town have had their game moved. A disadvantage? I don’t know.

“ I know people say Dandy Town’s field is difficult to play on — they train there and play out there all the time so you would think they have an advantage but I’m not sure home field advantage has that effect much to speak of in Bermuda.”  

Feed the Goat?

There will be one man hanging on news of the results in Manchester — former North Village player and manager Shaun Goater.

The Man City legend is back at the club working with their youth programme and friend and club president Stephen Coddington said Goater has been kept updated.  “I spoke to him not long ago and he’s very excited by the things he’s dealing with at City. I made him aware of how well we have been doing and he’s been keeping an eye out for us.” 

Final fixtures

Sunday, all 3pm

Dandy Town v Devonshire Cougars (BAA)

Wolves v North Village (Devonshire Rec)

Southampton Rangers v Somerset Trojans (Southampton Rangers)

St. David’s v Flanagan’s Onions (St. David’s CC Field)

Hamilton Parish Workman’s Club v PHC (Wellington Oval)