Derek Stapley, the Robin Hood coach, expects a high scoring Bistro Cup final between his side and North Village today at Goose Gosling Field.

The sides combined to score 101 goals between them this season, with Village hitting the back of the net 52 times and Hood 49. Only Tuff Dogs, who scored 63 goals, have scored more than the pair.

They also have quality in the attacking third of the pitch. Ralph Bean Jr and Aljame Zuill will lead the front line for the Rams and Rohaan Simons and Lloyd Holder will be entrusted with goalscoring duties for Hood.

Capable of scoring in bunches, Stapley believes spectators will be richly entertained. “Both teams play attacking football and have several players capable of putting the ball in the back of the net,” Stapley said. “We are, therefore, hoping for a high-scoring and entertaining match for the spectators.”

With Tuff Dogs already hoisting the Corona League title last week by a comfortable 11-point margin over Hood, who were the defending champions, roles can be reversed this weekend.

Dogs won the Cup last year after falling short in their league title quest to their bitter rivals. They hold the record for cup wins, with two, while West End United and Village have won the competition once each.

This year’s encounters in the league have been lopsided, with Village winning on opening day 6-0, thanks to two goals from Bean.

Hood returned the favour, thrashing Village 6-1, with Simons helping himself to a hat-trick. Village finished well off the leaders in the league, ending the campaign in sixth place.

“Village have had so many incredibly talented players who have played for their Corona side this year and I imagine their coaching staff will be doing some juggling to pick their starting 11,” Stapley said.

“Gumbo is a superb player who could still be playing Premier Division football. We will have our hands full trying to contain him, but their attacking line has several others, like Aljame, Damon [Swan], who will be just as dangerous. Our players know they have a very tough 90 minutes ahead of them.”

Kick-off is at 4pm, with the Corona League prize presentation scheduled for The Bistro at The Beach on Front Street at 7pm.