Hamilton Parish have set their sights on another good run in the Friendship Trophy, but first they will have to advance past PHC Zebras in tonight’s preliminary round at Goose Gosling Field.

Parish will face the Zebras twice in three days as they look to finish the month on a high note, having gone five games unbeaten in the league since their opening day defeat to North Village on September 21.

They climbed above PHC at the weekend but tonight’s Friendship Trophy tie represents a different challenge as teams look forward to playing over the Christmas and New Year period.

“When I was playing, to play over Christmas [Dudley Eve Trophy] you had to be in the top four,” said Kieshon Smith, the Parish coach, whose team lost to Somerset Trojans in last season’s Friendship Trophy final.

“One thing about the Peppers, even before my time here, is we love a good cup run.”

These days the Friendship Trophy final, which was traditionally played a week before the FA Cup final in April, is held on New Year’s Day, an extra incentive for those teams such as PHC and Parish who will have college students back for the holidays.

“For me Christmas time is the best time to play football in Bermuda because of the atmosphere, with people back from school, a good festive spirit and the crowds are big,” Smith said.

“When the top four teams played over the holiday it sets you up to win the league because the other teams aren’t playing and it gives you momentum.

“If it was top four we would be right there in the mix, but changing it gives everybody a chance to do something special over the holiday.”

A number of postponements over the last month has delayed the completion of the first half of the league season, with Parish still to play make up games against Southampton Rangers and Dandy Town.

“They are comfortably placed in the tables but Smith insists that staying up remains their main priority.

Last season Rangers survived with 18 points while Parish already have 11 on the board.

They finished sixth in the league last year, beating Zebras in their final game at Wellington Oval to deny their opponents the final Dudley Eve Trophy spot for this season.

“They needed a draw and we needed a victory,” Smith said.

With no clear favourites for the league, and all the top teams losing matches, Smith thinks it may take more than 18 points to be safe this season.

“We’re trying to get as a far away from the relegation zone as possible,” he said.

“Even though it is early we’re always one of those teams picked to get relegated.

“The further we get away from the relegation zone then we can set ourselves new targets, but it is still a matter of remaining humble and keep putting in the work.”

Things are getting better in terms of their squad with Chris Caisey recovering from an injury lay off while Casey Castle, a summer transfer from PHC, trained this week and will no doubt play before returning to school.

Angelo Cannonier, a late transfer, played his first game back with the club last weekend.

“It’s a pivotal stage of the season and we have a chance to put pressure on the teams that always do well,” the Parish coach said.

“After PHC on Thursday night we’ll concentrate on PHC for Sunday. I wouldn’t say the postponements have interrupted our flow, but it has allowed a player like Chris Caisey to get back off injury.

“He missed the last four or five games but had his first game on Sunday.

“Having games put back has allowed us to get stronger, with late transfers coming in. We’re going from strength to strength. Angelo Cannonier is an excellent signing.”

The winner of tonight’s match will play the winners of Devonshire Cougars and North Village, who will play in the other preliminary round match next Thursday, along with a Shield game between Somerset Eagles and Paget.

Tonight’s first match will pit BAA Wanderers against Boulevard Blazers in a Shield preliminary round match.