Omar Butterfield, the Devonshire Cougars coach, has urged his players to back their ability ahead of tomorrow night’s crucial Dudley Eve Trophy clash with Robin Hood at Goose Gosling Field.

The former Cougars defender was encouraged by his team’s gutsy display in their 1-1 draw away to Hood in their Premier Division opener at the weekend and is convinced that they can achieve greater things with more self belief.

“I thought we showed our fighting spirit and I was pleased with the performance and the effort that my players put in,” Butterfield said.

“The result builds up our confidence and now I just want our players to be sure of what they can do. They need to believe in what they can do and also believe in what the coaching staff have been doing.”

Lejuan Simmons gave Hood the lead in the first half at Goose Gosling Field on Saturday night with a superb solo effort before an own goal by midfielder Phillip Parsons handed Cougars a point late on. With better finishing, Cougars might have come away with all of the spoils.

“We have to put our chances away but we are improving every week,” Butterfield said. “I’m encouraged by the progress we’re making and as long as we’re creating chances, that’s a positive sign.”

Cougars and Hood will meet for the second time in five days at the same venue during tomorrow’s final round of Dudley Eve Trophy group matches.

Hood are virtually through to the semi-finals, having thrashed Somerset Trojans 7-1 in their opening group B match.

The same cannot be said for Cougars, last year’s Dudley Eve Trophy runner’s up, who lost 2-0 against Trojans in their opening group match and must now beat Hood if they are progress to the final four. PHC Zebras, the defending champions, and North Village have already secured their place in the semi-finals after Dandy Town were eliminated from group A last week. The eventual group winners will play the runner’s up from the other group in a semi-final doubleheader on November 1 at a venue to be confirmed.

PHC won the trophy for the second time in three seasons after beating Cougars 3-0 in last season’s final.

Dudley Eve Trophy Group Standings

Group A

P W D L F A Pts

PHC 1 1 0 0 2 0 3

North Village 1 1 0 0 1 0 3

*Dandy Town 2 0 0 2 0 3 0

Group B

P W D L F A Pts

Robin Hood 1 1 0 0 7 1 3

Somerset 1 1 0 1 3 7 3

Devonshire Cougars 1 0 0 1 0 2 0

*eliminated