Kyle Lightbourne is bracing himself for a baptism of fire in his first match as coach of Dandy Town against former club PHC Zebras in the Dudley Eve Trophy at Devonshire Rec tonight (9pm).

The former national coach knows his squad will be put to the test against the Premier Division champions, who demolished FA Cup holders St George’s Colts 6-0 in the Charity Cup at the same venue last Sunday.

“My first game against PHC and I could not have asked for a tougher match against the defending champions of the league, a team that’s started the season well with a 6-0 victory over St George’s in the Charity Cup,” Lightbourne told The Royal Gazette.

“We are going to be tested in many different ways playing against PHC, possibly the strongest team on the island right now.

“But it’s a new chapter for myself as a coach and I have coached against PHC many times. It is something that I have had to adjust to and I am a hoping the team can respond to the way I want them to play.”

The former Stoke City, Walsall and Macclesfield Town forward has been busy putting his players through their paces since taking over the reigns of the Pembroke club in May after predecessor Scott Morton declined to extend his short-term deal after agreeing in February to serve as interim head coach for the rest of the 2023-24 season.

“We have had a half-decent pre-season,” Lightbourne said.

“I think we are little short on numbers as far as the amount of players that we have but the players that have been training have been working hard, and hopefully we can see things that we have been working come out in this match.

“The result is not the most important thing but we would like to get off to a good start for my first game in charge.”

The opening Dudley Eve Trophy fixture at Devonshire Rec tonight features Hamilton Parish coming up against newly promoted Wolves (7pm).

Marcelos Thomas, the Wolves coach, says his charges are excited to be back in the top flight.

“Returning to the Premier Division is a big thing for the players who are definitely excited to get out there,” he said.

“I am excited and eager and the players are just as eager as myself and want to get out there and test themselves against Premier Division opponents.

“I told them don’t take anything for granted. Get out there, enjoy the experience and football, learn in every moment that you can, have fun and the results will come.”

Dudley Eve Trophy action continues with another double header at Goose Gosling Field on Sunday, when Devonshire Cougars take on St George’s (6pm) and Paget Lions are up against Social Club (8pm).