Somerset Eagles striker Antwan Russell has urged his team-mates to use their Friendship Trophy game against West End rivals Somerset Trojans at Bernard Park as a stepping stone to get their season back on track.

Eagles have been on a steady decline in recent weeks since their loss to Trojans just over a fortnight ago, losing four of their last five matches.

Russell, who played in their 2-1 defeat to tomorrow's opponents, believes a win in the Friendship can kick start their season as they look to end the year on a high note.

"We are hoping that this weekend's match will be a stepping stone for the rest of the season," said Russell. "With a few games left in the first half of the season, we will be looking to get the bit back between our mouth and get back on track.

"A win will do just that.

"We are not defending well as a team right, so we have been working on that a lot and hopefully we have it all sorted out this time around.

"The game will be the same as the first one, highly competitive. This is my first year experiencing it and it is enjoyable. This is a game we all want to win, they are the reason we have gone off track with the loss to them.

"Since being on a losing streak, the confidence is going down as well so if we can pick up the win it will be a good boost.

"After our first two wins our fans expected something big from us and unfortunately we haven't done that but it is still early and I believe that we can win something."

A plus for the side will be the return of college students Keishen Bean, Tahj Bell, and Roger Lee in the upcoming weeks that will bolster their squad, something that the prolific striker reckons can inspire the side.

With no injury to be concerned about, the striker is ready to help his side get the result needed to restore their confidence.

"I played with a slight injury in the last one so we will see how this game plays itself out," he said.

"We want to win every time we get on the pitch, whether a cup game or a back yard kick, we all want to win and it will gives us a little bit of confidence. This is no different, it's a derby so we will have to be prepared.

"We have a lot of quality in the side and we have a few college guys coming back so it will be nice to have them guys come back and we can get a win under our belt."

Elsewhere in Friendship action, Devonshire Cougars will face off against North Village in part three of their battle at Lords, while Boulevard lock horns with Southampton Rangers at Police Field.

The other match will see PHC look to avenge their early season defeat to Devonshire Colts when the two take the field at Somerset Cricket Club.