TWO of the top scorers in the First Division will meet this weekend in a head-to-head clash at Bernard Park that should break a three-way tie for first place in the standings.

Young Men's Social Club are the surprise leaders of the First Division on goal difference over east end clubs St. George's and St. David's. Social Club host St. George's in a top-of-the-table fixture that promises plenty of goals as Clay Darrell of Social Club and Allan Douglas Jr. of St. George's look to continue their goalscoring form.

Darrell's nine goals ¿ which, interestingly have come via three hat-tricks against Paget, X-Roads and Wolves ¿ have contributed significantly to Social Club's early-season success. Against a solid St. George's defence led by veterans Neil Paynter and Dean Bailey, the 19-year-old Darrell will face a tough test.

The teenager has come on in leaps and bounds this season and coach Troy Lewis is happy with the striker's progress.

"I'm very pleased with Clay in terms of his attitude to the game this year which is a lot different from previous years and that is why he is showing his potential right now," said Lewis.

"His focus on his game has been tremendous whereas you can see it in his training habits, his attendance as well as his tardiness. In his maturity, as he gets older, he is starting to understand all these things are important in making sure he performs at a good level. All of that is just allowing him to show what he has had all this time."

The youngster has football in his blood as the son of Clay Smith and the nephew of Tillman Darrell, a former striker with North Village and Vasco.

"He has a lot to offer to the game," said his coach. "'Bumla' Bell has put up that reward for 35 goals and I think in two or three seasons he will be a force to reckon with like how 'Bumla' Bell was."

Coolridge 'Bumla' Bell said he will give $1,000 to the Premier Division striker who scores 35 goals this season.

Lewis is careful not to put too much pressure on the youngster but no doubt opposing defenders are beginning to take notice of a striker who has scored more than half of his team's goals in the league.

"His awareness around goal is making a difference," Lewis stressed. "The team itself is putting him in good situations and for him to be calm enough to put them in the net is what is really helping."

Lewis expects the clash with St. George's to be a good match-up between two teams challenging for promotion. Neither team can afford a slip-up as, again, the promotion race could involve as many as six teams.

"This Sunday's game is going to be a very good game for people to come out and see," said Lewis who is looking forward to three points against Paynter, a good friend from their college days together at Old Dominion in Virginia.

"The competition goes beyond the players, Neil and I played at university together. We're friends but on the field we're going to be competitors. Our goal is to win every time we walk on the field and for consistency throughout our team."

Both teams are rebuilding, as St. George's needed special permission from the Bermuda Football Association for 15-year-old goalkeeper Shunte Evans to play this season. St. George's are on a four-game winning streak since their first-game loss to Somerset Trojans and Douglas has netted in each of the last four games, including a hat-trick against BAA.

St. George's have not lost this season when Douglas has scored, and when Darrell scores he scores hat-tricks!

"We have a young team, yes, and a few guys have been together for awhile, but this year they are all starting to get on the same pace in terms of what they want to achieve collectively," said Lewis. "That has helped a lot in terms of their success."

St. David's will be looking to pounce is case one or both of the top two drop points. St. David's suffered their first loss of the season, a crushing 3-0 result to Somerset Eagles who are now just two points off the leaders themselves and with a game in hand.

St. David's are away to Wolves who picked up their first win last weekend while other promotion contenders Ireland Rangers and Somerset Eagles are at home to X-Roads and Prospect respectively. Eagles are now the only unbeaten team in the First Division.

Premier Division action returns on Sunday with neighbours and rivals Devonshire Cougars and Boulevard Blazers looking to take over sole possession of first place.

Boulevard entertain Hamilton Parish at BAA Field while Martonmere Cup finalists Cougars are away to Southampton Rangers. Dandy Town, third, host bottom team Devonshire Colts at St. John's Field while North Village meet PHC at Bernard Park in the other match.

Schedule

Premier Division: Boulevard v Ham. Parish (BAA Field); Dandy Town v Dev. Colts (St. John's Field); Southampton Rangers v Devonshire Cougars (Southampton Oval); North Village v PHC (Bernard Park). Matches start at 3.00.

First Division: Ir. Rangers v X-Roads (Malabar 12.30); Paget v BAA (White Hill Field 12.30); YMSC v St. George's (Bernard Park 12.30); Wolves v St. David's (Dev. Rec 3.00); Som. Eagles v Prospect (White Hill 3.00).

Women's FM Division: Lady Cougars v North Village Rams (Dev. Rec 12.30); Prospect v Dandy Stars (Police Field 12.30).