Bermuda Hogges' coach Kyle Lightbourne wants to turn the National Sports Centre into a fortress, declaring: "It's crucial. We must win our home matches."

Lightbourne reckons Hogges can reach the USL-D2 play-offs if they win more than half of the games they play in their own backyard – and insists they will pick up points on their travels eventually.

"Our home games are crucial if we are going to be successful this season," said Lightbourne. "I know we willget points in the US this season but it's the home matches that really matter for us."

Hogges have failed to beat Harrisburg City Islanders in five attempts and Lightbourne accepts that they will be in for a stern examination tonight.

"We know what to expect from Islanders and they're a strong team. But I believe we get something from this game if we stick to the task.

"Obviously we're coming off two defeats but I saw some positives from last week's trip to the US and we controlled much of the second match against Monarchs.

"There are still lots of things we need to improve upon but no-one had a particularly bad game or anything. We wanted to get something out of at least one of the games but it just didn't work out that way."

Lightbourne welcomes back skipper Omar Shakir, striker Lloyd Holder and defender Kevin Richards, who played against Monarchs but missed Hogges' opener with Crystal Palace Baltimore, for tonight's game.

But the likes of Chae Simmons and ex-Trinidad international Marlon Rojas are still unavailable but are expected to be given the green light from the USL next week.

Harrisburg travel to Bermuda with two players on loan from MLS's DC United, Anthony Peters and John Diraimondo, pending USL and USSF approval.

Last season they defeated the Hogges 4-2 in front of a sell-out crowd at Skyline Sports Complex. Six days later, they travelled to Bermuda and won 2-1. They have a win and a defeat from their opening two matches of the new campaign.