Hamilton Parish have had their home Premier Division match against Devonshire on Sunday switched to Monday night because of the funeral of Lyndon Raynor, the club’s secretary and father of their goalkeeper Nigel Burgess.

Although the match with Cougars will now take place on Monday at Devonshire Recreation Club — effectively another home match for Cougars, Kieshon Smith, the Parish coach, does not think his team will necessarily be disadvantaged by the switch.

“At the business end of the season there are no excuses, home court advantage is not that decisive,” said Smith, whose team sit second in what is becoming a very tight title race.

Only seven points separate the ten teams in the Premier Division and last weekend’s victory by bottom team Southampton Rangers over then league leaders PHC Zebras is proof that the teams are pretty evenly matched this season.

“It seems to be one of the best [title] races in some time,” said Smith, whose team have never won the league.

“We have a history of not even surviving so our main concern is making sure we get enough points to achieve that. Let’s see where we are in another three games time, then we can put our best foot forward and try to take it.”

Parish, who have already blown two chances to take over the top spot, are tied for first place with Somerset Trojans after their 1-0 win over North Village Rams at Wellington Oval last weekend.

“It’s all about being at the top of the table when the season ends,” Smith said. “It’s about putting in the right performances and building momentum.

“The win against Village, regardless of where we would have been, was a great result because it gives us momentum. I’m sure this week we’ll be bubbling in training.”

Smith is careful not to get carried away with his team’s high position as a couple of losses, or even draws, could result in any of the top teams sliding down the table.

“The top teams are on seventeen points and the bottom team on ten, so some teams are two losses away from being on the bottom,” Smith said. “The best team at the end of the season will win the league.

“Remember, we’re still a young team so for us it’s about stability and consistently competing in this division. After another two or three games, if we’re still in the position we’re in then we will take the next step and try to take this [league].”

Parish have tried to make it tough for teams coming to Wellington Oval, although Rangers had other ideas by going there and getting a result. Village have lost both their league matches at Wellington Oval and their recent slump has forced coach Ralph Bean to pull on his boots and make a couple of appearances lately.

Smith is tipping the likes of Somerset Trojans, PHC and Dandy Town to be the main contenders for the title, although he will be hoping bottom team St George’s Colts can do them a favour when they play Trojans on Friday night. Town are on a roll and only three points off the pace,” Smith said.

“Everybody has something to play for with another round of games this weekend when we play Cougars and Dandy Town play PHC.

“There’s a lot of work left to do this season at both ends [of the table]. I would think all the teams are taking a good look at it to see how tight it is going to be.

“At this stage of the season, if we are in a position to win it then you have to win games wherever you play. Yes, down at St George’s is something of a fortress but we have also picked up points on the road, we got three valuable points against Somerset and drew with Cougars at Devonshire Rec.

“If you want to win the league or survive then you have to win games and put points on the board, regardless of what field it’s on.

“From here on out every game will be considered a cup final, whether you’re looking for safety, trying to win the league or get a Dudley Eve spot.”