BERMUDA Hogges will once again be under-strength when they take on Western Mass Pioneers in a home turf double header this weekend.

The Hogges have lost the bulk of their squad to the national team who recorded a famous victory over Trinidad and Tobago in the first leg of their World Cup qualifiers in the Caribbean last weekend.

With the Gombey Warriors renewing hostilities with the Soca Warriors in Sunday's second leg at National Sports Centre, the Hogges will once again be forced to field depleted teams.

"It's getting more and more difficult for us as each game goes by with so many of our players playing for the national team," said the Hogges president Shaun Goater.

"We've lost about a dozen players and have had to draft in some trialists just to honour our fixtures.

"We are preparing for another tough couple of games against Pioneers, but it's another chance for our fringe players and trialists to impress.

"But obviously we completely support the national team and congratulate Kenny Thompson and his players' outstanding achievement to beat Trinidad. We wish them all the luck for the second leg on Sunday."

The Hogges lost 4-1 to Richmond Kickers in the US last weekend in a game that was suspended for an hour due to violent thunderstorms. Lanky winger Lashun Dill scored their goal before the match, while trialists Keith Jennings, Blenn Bean, Andrew Charlton, Cecoy Robinson and Brendon Minors also travelled with the squad.

Goater said the Hogges had been dominating the match until thunder and lighting interrupted proceedings.

"The score was 1-1 when the game was delayed for an hour and we were on top at the time," he said.

"When we came back on we conceded three goals in ten crazy minutes and that took us out of the game."

The Hogges have been forced to play their second match against Pioneers at BAA field due to fixture congestion at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

The NSC was scheduled to host three matches in three days with the Hogges slated to play two games at the venue, while the World Cup qualifier between Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago is scheduled for Sunday.

The Hogges will still be able to play Friday night's match at the NSC but will host the second game at BAA on Saturday after the United Soccer League (USL) relaxed their minimum standards for official match venues. Both matches kick-off at 7 p.m.

Supporters who attend Friday's match against the Pioneers with a ticket for Bermuda's match against Trinidad will only be charged $10 for a ticket, while fans who go to Saturday's game with a ticket stub from Friday night's match will also be entitled to $10 tickets.